bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of atmospheric inputs of nitrate to a temperate forest ecosystem from Δ17O isotope ratio measurements
Authors: Costa A. W. , Michalski G. , Schauer A. J. , Alexander B. , Steig E. J. , Shepson P. B.
Published: August 2011

Determining the fate of atmospheric N deposited in forest ecosystems is essential to understanding the ecological impact of increased anthropogenic N deposition. We hypothesize that a significant fraction of soil nitrate (dry deposited HNO3 and wet deposited NO3−) in northern Michigan is derived from atmospheric deposition. To test this idea, soil, rainfall, and cloud water were sampled in a temperate forest in northern Lower Michigan. The fraction of the soil solution NO3− pool directly from atmospheric deposition was quantified using the natural isotopic tracer, Δ17O. Our results show that on average 9% of the soil solution NO3− is unprocessed (no microbial turnover) N derived directly from the atmosphere. This points to the potential importance of anthropogenic N deposition and contributes to the long‐standing need to improve our understanding of the impacts of atmospheric nitrogen processing and deposition on forest ecosystems and forest productivity.
Mechanisms of interannual steric sea level variability
Authors: Piecuch C. G. , Ponte R. M.
Published: August 2011

Processes contributing to interannual steric sea level variability are studied over the period 1993–2004 using an observationally‐constrained ocean state estimate produced by the ECCO (“Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean”) consortium. The estimate's dynamical consistency allows for the comprehensive attribution of steric changes in terms of advection, diffusion, and surface buoyancy exchange processes. Steric variations are found to be owing more to oceanic transports than to local surface buoyancy fluxes. Advection is responsible for steric variability in the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans. At extratropical latitudes, advection and diffusion appear to be equally important. Local surface buoyancy fluxes can contribute in some regions (e.g., the tropical Atlantic). Analysis of the anomalous wind stress curl shows that extra‐equatorial vertical advection is driven primarily by Ekman pumping. The complexity of the interannual steric budget suggests that anomalous sea level is probably not predictable on the basis of ocean memory alone. Furthermore, proper parameterizations of mixing processes and good estimates of wind‐driven transports both appear to be very important to reliable projections of interannual sea level.
Electrical and optical properties of transparent conducting In4+xSn3−2xSbxO12 thin films
Authors: Kuznetsov Vladimir L. , O’Neil David H. , Pepper Michael , Edwards Peter P.
Published: August 2011

Thin films of In4 + xSn3−2xSbxO12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) have been grown on glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the films with a typical grain size of 20–60 nm. Surface analysis by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy demonstrated that the surface region of the films is non-stoichiometric, being significantly rich in tin and antimony and deficient in both indium and oxygen. Both electron mobility and carrier concentration steeply decrease with increasing antimony content in the films. The temperature dependence of the electrical transport properties was explained by a model in which for x ≥ 0.5, the carrier transport is governed by percolation conduction over the distribution of potential barriers around the conduction band edge while degenerate electronic conduction is attained at x < 0.5. The optical bandgap value decreases from 3.15 to 2.92 eV with increasing antimony content from 0 to 1.
Heat transport in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals under electric field
Authors: Hadj Sahraoui Abdelhak , Delenclos Sylvain , Longuemart Stéphane , Dadarlat Dorin
Published: August 2011

The concepts of effective thermal conductivity and interfacial thermal contact resistance in composite media are applied to study heat transport in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC). In these systems, the thermal properties of liquid crystal inclusions are changed by an imposed electric field. The photopyroelectric (PPE) technique with a cell allowing the application of an electric field to the sample is used to measure the thermal parameters. A model based on effective medium approximation is used to assess the impact of interfaces on the flow of heat through the determination of the Kapitza radius. It was found that the effect of interfaces becomes dominant compared to the volume conduction of the droplet when the liquid crystal (LC) droplet radius becomes smaller than 1 micron. The comparison of the thermal behavior of LC in the droplets with that of bulk liquid crystal allowed to evaluate the effect of confinement on the LC nematic phase.
Determination of Al molar fraction in AlxGa1-xN films by Raman scattering
Authors: Kim J. G. , Kimura A. , Kamei Y. , Hasuike N. , Harima H. , Kisoda K. , Simahara Y. , Miyake H. , Hiramatsu K.
Published: August 2011

Raman scattering spectra were observed for a series of AlxGa1−xN film samples to evaluate the Al molar fraction x from phonon frequencies using published data for calibration. Comparison with a precise quantitative measurement of x by electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) showed systematic deviations from the Raman analysis up to about 6 ∼ 15%. The molar fraction was also deduced by x ray diffraction (XRD), assuming elastic deformation of the lattice and Vegard’s law for the lattice constant. The XRD analysis agreed well with that of EPMA to suggest that the Raman analysis is sensitively affected by lattice distortion due to residual stress.
Ferrofluid flow in the annular gap of a multipole rotating magnetic field
Authors: Torres-Díaz Isaac , Rinaldi Carlos
Published: August 2011

A solution is obtained for the ferrohydrodynamic problem of ferrofluid flow in the annular gap between two coaxial cylinders under the influence of the magnetic field generated by a multipole stator winding. The solution is applicable to small values of the applied magnetic field amplitude, takes into account the spatial harmonics produced by the multipole stator winding, and includes the effect of spin viscosity. The special case for which the internal diameter goes to zero, corresponding to the cylindrical “spin-up flow” geometry, is also obtained. Results show that for zero spin viscosity (η'=0), no flow is predicted for any number of poles in the winding. In the case of nonzero spin viscosity, for a two-pole stator winding (m = 1) the solution predicts counter-rotating flow with respect to the magnetic field close to the inner cylinder and co-rotating flow with respect to the magnetic field near the outer cylinder, in agreement with previously reported experimental observations. For stator windings with larger number of poles (m>1), the solution predicts co-rotation of fluid and field in the annular gap. Using a four-pole stator winding (m=2), experimental measurements show that a ferrofluid co-rotates with the magnetic field in both the cylindrical and annular cases, with qualitative agreement between the theory with nonzero spin viscosity and the experiments. Non-idealities in the stator winding distribution, e.g., due to slot effects, are considered through linear superposition of higher order harmonics, again predicting zero flow in the absence of spin viscosity and counter-rotating flow with respect to the magnetic field close to the inner cylinder wall only for the case where the fundamental harmonic (m=1) is dominant.
Electronic structure of Vanadium pentoxide: An efficient hole injector for organic electronic materials
Authors: Meyer J. , Zilberberg K. , Riedl T. , Kahn A.
Published: August 2011

The electronic structure of Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), a transition metal oxide with an exceedingly large work function of 7.0 eV, is studied via ultraviolet, inverse and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Very deep lying electronic states with electron affinity and ionization energy (IE) of 6.7 eV and 9.5 eV, respectively, are found. Contamination due to air exposure changes the electronic structure due to the partial reduction of vanadium to V+4 state. It is shown that V2O5 is a n-type material that can be used for efficient hole-injection into materials with an IE larger than 6 eV, such as 4,4′-Bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1′-bipheny (CBP). The formation of an interface dipole and band bending is found to lead to a very small energy barrier between the transport levels at the V2O5/CBP interface.
Waveguide Fabry-Pérot microcavity arrays
Authors: Feng Shengfei , Zhang Xinping , Klar Peter J.
Published: August 2011

Spectroscopic properties of the Fabry-Pérot (FP) microcavities arranged periodically on a dielectric waveguide are investigated theoretically. A strong coupling behavior between the waveguide resonance and the FP resonance modes is demonstrated for incident light with TE polarization. The narrow-band waveguide resonance modes are observed as asymmetric transmission peaks within the FP stop band, whereas they become transmission dips (antiresonance) in the FP pass band. The coupled mode transits between these two states as the waveguide resonance mode is tuned between the FP pass and stop bands. This transition can be explained in the Fano-picture and is important for the design of photonic devices with narrow-band and tunable optical response
High resolution extreme ultraviolet spectrometer for an electron beam ion trap
Authors: Ohashi Hayato , Yatsurugi Junji , Sakaue Hiroyuki A. , Nakamura Nobuyuki
Published: August 2011

An extreme ultraviolet spectrometer has been developed for spectroscopic studies of highly charged ions with an electron beam ion trap. It has a slit-less configuration with a spherical varied-line-spacing grating that provides a flat focal plane for grazing incidence light. Alternative use of two different gratings enables us to cover the wavelength range 1–25 nm. Test observations with the Tokyo electron beam ion trap demonstrate the high performance of the present spectrometer such as a resolving power of above 1000.
Strong coupling between surface plasmon polariton and laser dye rhodamine 800
Authors: Valmorra Federico , Bröll Markus , Schwaiger Stephan , Welzel Nadine , Heitmann Detlef , Mendach Stefan
Published: August 2011

We report on strong coupling between surface plasmon polaritons on a thin silver film and laser dye Rhodamine 800. Attenuated total reflection measurements reveal that the pure surface plasmon polaritons interact with the Rhodamine 800 absorption lines exhibiting pronounced anticrossings in the dispersion relation. We show that the corresponding energy gap can be tailored by the concentration of dye molecules in the dielectric matrix between 50 meV and 70 meV. We can well model our data by a classical transfer matrix approach as well as by a quantum mechanical coupled oscillator ansatz.
Tip-enhanced Raman mapping of a single Ge nanowire
Authors: Ogawa Y. , Yuasa Y. , Minami F. , Oda S.
Published: August 2011

We report the nanometer scale mapping of a single Ge nanowire (NW) using tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS). The Raman spectra of a single Ge NW show downshift and asymmetric broadening, depending on the diameter, due to the phonon confinement effect. A Raman peak attributed to amorphous Ge has also been observed. Assuming the crystalline core/amorphous shell structure, we estimate the amorphous shell thickness to be 2–6 monolayers from the integrated Raman intensities of crystalline and amorphous Ge.
Efficient three-dimensional nanostructured photoelectric device by Al-ZnO coating on lithography-free patterned Si nanopillars
Authors: Jee Sang-Won , Park Seong-Je , Kim Joondong , Chang Park Yun , Choi Jun-Hyuk , Jeong Jun-Ho , Lee Jung-Ho
Published: August 2011

An efficient three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure photoelectric device is presented. An Al-doped ZnO (AZO) coating was applied to lithography-free patterned Si nanopillars and spontaneously formed a radial heterojunction (n-AZO/p-Si) photodiode having a quality ideality factor of 1.64. A significantly enhanced photocurrent of 5.45 mA/cm2 was obtained from the 3D nanostructure relative to that of a planar substrate (1.1 mA/cm2). This enhancement is induced by enlargement of the light-active surface area and an anti-reflection effect. Due to the intermediate refractive index of AZO, the reflection was distinctively reduced in the air-Si system. It discusses an effective approach for realizing nanostructured photoelectric device.
Numerical and theoretical study on the mechanism of biopolymer translocation process through a nano-pore
Authors: Alapati Suresh , Fernandes Dolfred Vijay , Suh Yong Kweon
Published: August 2011

We conducted a numerical study on the translocation of a biopolymer from the cis side to the trans side of a membrane through a synthetic nano-pore driven by an external electric field in the presence of hydrodynamic interactions (HIs). The motion of the polymer is simulated by 3D Langevin dynamics technique using a worm-like chain model of N identical beads, while HI between the polymer and fluid are incorporated by the lattice Boltzmann equation. The translocation process is induced by electrophoretic force, which sequentially straightens out the folds of the initial random configuration of the polymer chain on the cis side. Our simulation results on translocation time and velocity are in good quantitative agreement with the corresponding experimental ones when the surface charge on the nano-pore and the HI effect are considered explicitly. We found that the translocation velocity of each bead inside the nano-pore mainly depends upon the length of the straightened portion of the polymer in forced motion near the pore. We confirmed this by a theoretical formula. After performing simulations with different pore lengths, we observed that translocation velocity mainly depends upon the applied potential difference rather than upon the electric field inside the nano-pore.
Note: Vector reflectometry in a beam waveguide
Authors: Eimer J. R. , Bennett C. L. , Chuss D. T. , Wollack E. J.
Published: August 2011

We present a one-port calibration technique for characterization of beam waveguide components with a vector network analyzer. This technique involves using a set of known delays to separate the responses of the instrument and the device under test. We demonstrate this technique by measuring the reflected performance of a millimeter-wave variable-delay polarization modulator.
Effective reduction of fixed charge densities in germanium based metal-oxide-semiconductor devices
Authors: Deng Shaoren , Xie Qi , Deduytsche Davy , Schaekers Marc , Lin Dennis , Caymax Matty , Delabie Annelies , Van den Berghe Sven , Qu Xinping , Detavernier Christophe
Published: August 2011

Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor was fabricated using in situ O2 plasma passivation and subsequent deposition of a HfO2 high-k gate stack on Ge. By extracting flat band voltages from capacitors with different equivalent oxide thicknesses (EOT), the effect of forming gas annealing (FGA) and O2 ambient annealing on the fixed charge was systematically investigated. The O2 ambient annealing is more effective than FGA as it reduced fixed charge density to 8.3 × 1011 cm−2 compared to 4.5 × 1012 cm−2 for at the same thermal budget and showed no degradation of EOT. Further, the distribution of fixed charges in gate stack was discussed in detail.
Mo- and N-doped BiNbO4 for photocatalysis applications
Authors: Nisar J. , Wang B. C. , Pathak B. , Kang T. W. , Ahuja R.
Published: August 2011

The electronic structure of pure BiNbO4 has been calculated and their electronic band positions have been aligned with respect to the water oxidation/reduction potential. The effect of cationic (Mo), anionic (N), and co-doping (Mo-N) on BiNbO4 has been studied and discussed with respect to the standard redox potential levels. Our results show that co-doping of Mo and N in BiNbO4 reduces the band gap up to 31.8%, thus making it a potential candidate for the photocatalysis of water for hydrogen production. The relative stability between the mono- and co-doped BiNbO4 materials show that co-doped material is more stable and feasible in comparison to the mono-doped materials.
On the role of acoustic waves (phonons) in equilibrium heat exchange across a vacuum gap
Authors: Budaev Bair V. , Bogy David B.
Published: August 2011

Heat exchange between closely positioned bodies has become an important issue for such areas of modern technology as integrated circuits, atomic force microscopy, and high-density magnetic recording, which deal with bodies separated by gaps as narrow as a few nanometers. This paper shows that if the gap’s width is below a certain value, estimated as about 10 nm for silicon at room temperature, then, in addition to electromagnetic radiation, significant heat is also carried by acoustic waves. Moreover, as the width of the gap decreases below about 5 nm, acoustic waves rapidly become the dominant heat carrier.
Organic photovoltaic power conversion efficiency improved by AC electric field alignment during fabrication
Authors: Zhao Cindy X. , Wang Xizu , Zeng Wenjin , Chen Zhi K. , Ong Beng S. , Wang Kewei , Deng Lulu , Xu Gu
Published: August 2011

Ultra-low frequency AC field was employed to align p/n polymers during organic photovoltaic device fabrication. The resulting devices show 15% increase in power conversion efficiency and four-fold increase in parallel resistance. Supported by the transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images, the performance enhancement is attributed to the optimized morphology and enlarged p/n interface by AC field, which is more effective than DC, possibly explained by the argument of better mixing via back-and-forth shaking than a single swing.
Changing Fatherhood: An Exploratory Qualitative Study with African and African Caribbean Men in England
Authors: Williams Robert , Hewison Alistair , Wildman Stuart , Roskell Carolyn
Published: August 2011

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study undertaken with 46 African and African Caribbean men exploring their experiences of fatherhood. Data analysis was informed by Connell’s theoretical work on changing gender relations. Findings indicate that fathers’ lives were mediated by masculinities, racism, gender, migration and generational changes in parenting. Fathers advocated a style of parenting centred on good communication with children. The implications of findings for theory, future research and health and social care policy regarding both children’s well‐being and the inclusion of fathers by health and social care practitioners are discussed.
A Variant of the Il2ra / Cd25 Gene Predisposing to Graves’ Disease is Associated with Increased Levels of Soluble Interleukin‐2 Receptor
Authors: Chistiakov D. A. , Chistiakova E. I. , Voronova N. V. , Turakulov R. I. , Savost’anov K. V.
Published: August 2011

Alpha‐subunit of the IL‐2 receptor (IL‐2Rα) encoded by the IL2RA/CD25 gene binds IL‐2 that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of T cell function. Levels of a soluble form of IL‐2Rα (sIL‐2Rα) lacking the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains were shown to be increased in several autoimmune diseases including Graves’ disease (GD). Recent studies showed association between the IL2RA/CD25 gene variants and several autoimmune diseases including GD. In this study, we analyzed whether polymorphic markers rs2104286, rs41295061, and rs11594656 located at the IL2RA/CD25 locus confer susceptibility to GD and are related to increased concentrations of sIL‐2Rα. A total of 1474 Russian GD patients and 1609 control subjects were genotyped for rs2104286, rs41295061, and rs11594656 using a Taqman assay. Concentrations of sIL‐2Rα in sera of affected and non‐affected individuals were measured using an ELISA test. A minor allele A of rs41295061 showed significant association with increased risk of GD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.43, Pc = 0.00102]. The allele A of rs41295061 and allele A of rs11594656 constitute a higher risk haplotype AA (OR = 1.47, Pc = 0.0477). Compared to carriers of the protective haplogenotype GT/GT, the carriage of two copies of the haplogenotype AA/AA was associated with elevated levels of sIL‐2Rα in both GD patients (AA/AA versus GT/GT: 1.35 ± 0.47 ng/ml versus 1.12 ± 0.45 ng/ml, P = 0.0065) and healthy controls (AA/AA versus GT/GT: 0.67 ± 0.28 ng/ml versus 0.51 ± 0.33 ng/ml, P = 0.0098). This is the first report presenting correlation between the carriage of disease‐associated variants of IL2RA/CD25 with increased levels of sIL‐2Rα in GD.
Striatal and extrastriatal dopamine transporter in cannabis and tobacco addiction: a high‐resolution PET study
Authors: Leroy Claire , Karila Laurent , Martinot Jean‐Luc , Lukasiewicz Michaël , Duchesnay Edouard , Comtat Claude , Dollé Frédéric , Benyamina Amine , Artiges Eric , Ribeiro Maria‐Joao , Reynaud Michel , Trichard Christian
Published: August 2011

The dopamine (DA) system is known to be involved in the reward and dependence mechanisms of addiction. However, modifications in dopaminergic neurotransmission associated with long‐term tobacco and cannabis use have been poorly documented in vivo. In order to assess striatal and extrastriatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability in tobacco and cannabis addiction, three groups of male age‐matched subjects were compared: 11 healthy non‐smoker subjects, 14 tobacco‐dependent smokers (17.6 ± 5.3 cigarettes/day for 12.1 ± 8.5 years) and 13 cannabis and tobacco smokers (CTS) (4.8 ± 5.3 cannabis joints/day for 8.7 ± 3.9 years). DAT availability was examined in positron emission tomography (HRRT) with a high resolution research tomograph after injection of [11C]PE2I, a selective DAT radioligand. Region of interest and voxel‐by‐voxel approaches using a simplified reference tissue model were performed for the between‐group comparison of DAT availability. Measurements in the dorsal striatum from both analyses were concordant and showed a mean 20% lower DAT availability in drug users compared with controls. Whole‐brain analysis also revealed lower DAT availability in the ventral striatum, the midbrain, the middle cingulate and the thalamus (ranging from −15 to −30%). The DAT availability was slightly lower in all regions in CTS than in subjects who smoke tobacco only, but the difference does not reach a significant level. These results support the existence of a decrease in DAT availability associated with tobacco and cannabis addictions involving all dopaminergic brain circuits. These findings are consistent with the idea of a global decrease in cerebral DA activity in dependent subjects.
The impact of hypertriglyceridemia on prostate cancer development in patients aged ≥60 years
Authors: Hayashi Norihiro , Matsushima Masato , Yamamoto Toshihiro , Sasaki Hiroshi , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Egawa Shin
Published: August 2011

Study Type – Aetiology (individual cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Patients aged ≥60 years with high TG levels may be move vulnerable to the development of prostate cancer with aggressive biology.

We urologists have to pay attention to select the treatment for patients aged ≥60 year with high TG levels.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between serum triglyceride (TG) levels and the incidence and characteristics of prostate cancer detected on biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated data from consecutive patients who underwent prostatic biopsy. Data analysed included age, total serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, prostatic volume, body mass index (BMI), TG levels, and cholesterol‐lowering medications.

RESULTS

We analysed data from 905 patients, including 528 (58.3%) with positive biopsy findings.

Using 150 mg/dL as the threshold point of TG levels, multivariate analysis yielded an adjusted odds ratio (OR) reflecting the association of higher TG levels with prostate cancer diagnosis of 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–2.29, P = 0.002).

Pearson correlation coefficient analysis including age, PSA level, prostatic volume, BMI and TG, showed TG level significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.185, P < 0.001).

In the analysis by age intervals (≤59, 60–69, and ≥70 years), the association between high TG levels and positive biopsy findings was enhanced in the age groups 60–69 and ≥70 years (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.31–3.37, P = 0.002 and OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.03–3.53, P = 0.039, respectively), but not in the group aged ≤59 years.

In patients aged ≥60 years, high TG levels were statistically significantly associated with a Gleason score of ≥8.

CONCLUSIONS

High TG levels correlated well with a higher incidence of prostate cancer, especially in patients aged ≥60 years.

High TG levels were also associated with a Gleason score of ≥8 in this age group.

Our results suggest that elderly patients with high TG levels may be more vulnerable to the development of prostate cancer with an aggressive biology.
Can the Law Speak Directly to its Subjects? The Limitation of Plain Language
Authors: Assy Rabeea
Published: August 2011

Can we dispense with lawyers as intermediaries between the law and its subjects? Can laypeople have direct access to the law? The Plain English Movement (PEM) has long promoted the use of plain language in legal writing as the way to demystify the law, and many governments and private corporations have expended significant resources on drafting legislation and legal documents in plain language. This article argues that the PEM has exaggerated the capacity of plain language to render the law intelligible to the non‐lawyer, obscuring the deeper question of legal complexity by focusing solely on language and style. Using the law effectively requires expertise that goes far beyond understanding the meaning of the words used to communicate it: certain complex aspects of the law cannot be eliminated by mere simplification of language and this article demonstrates that other specialized skills are required over and above the ability to penetrate technical language. The paradigmatic illustration of the need for such skills is litigation.
CubeCover– Parameterization of 3D Volumes
Authors: Nieser M. , Reitebuch U. , Polthier K.
Published: August 2011

Despite the success of quad‐based 2D surface parameterization methods, effective parameterization algorithms for 3D volumes with cubes, i.e. hexahedral elements, are still missing. CubeCover is a first approach for generating a hexahedral tessellation of a given volume with boundary aligned cubes which are guided by a frame field.

The input of CubeCover is a tetrahedral volume mesh. First, a frame field is designed with manual input from the designer. It guides the interior and boundary layout of the parameterization. Then, the parameterization and the hexahedral mesh are computed so as to align with the given frame field.

CubeCover has similarities to the QuadCover algorithm and extends it from 2D surfaces to 3D volumes. The paper also provides theoretical results for 3D hexahedral parameterizations and analyses topological properties of the appropriate function space.
On Power and its Tactics: A View from the Sociology of Science
Authors: Law John
Published: August 2011

This paper considers the relevance of the sociology of science for the study of power. Though there is by no means complete agreement between sociologists of science, recent work in this area has suggested that (a) scientists negotiate not only about scientific but also social reality, and (b) the distinction between macro- and micro-sociology is an impediment rather than an aid to analysis. Thus, though there are indeed differences in scale, il is argued that these should be seen as the outcome of differentially effective attempts by scientists to impose versions of scientific and social reality.

The present paper extends this argument by considering the way in which a set of pharmacological experiments was undertaken in order to generate results and control aspects of the scientific and social environment. It is suggested that the experimentalist acted like an entrepreneur, combining a variety of potentially unruly resources with the aim of simplifying these and reducing them to docile figures on a sheet of paper. The strategies and materials used in this process of control are considered and three classes of potential resources are identified: natural objects or devices, people and inscriptions. It is argued that these have certain properties that render them relatively durable and transportable and hence convenient for the purpose of long distance social control.
Balancing Work–family Life in Academia: The Power of Time
Authors: Rafnsdóttir Gudbjörg Linda , Heijstra Thamar M.
Published: August 2011

In the article we analyse the structuring of time among academic employees in Iceland, how they organize and reconcile their work and family life and whether gender is a defining factor in this context. Our analysis shows clear gender differences in time use. Although flexible working hours help academic parents to organize their working day and fulfil the ever‐changing needs of family members, the women, rather than men interviewed, seem to be stuck with the responsibility of domestic and caring issues because of this very same flexibility. It seems to remove, for more women than for men, the possibility of going home early or not being on call. The flexibility and the gendered time use seem thus to reproduce traditional power relations between women and men and the gender segregated division in the homes.
Impact of filaggrin mutations on Raman spectra and biophysical properties of the stratum corneum in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
Authors: Mlitz V. , Latreille J. , Gardinier S. , Jdid R. , Drouault Y. , Hufnagl P. , Eckhart L. , Guinot C. , Tschachler E.
Published: August 2011

Background  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with null mutations in the filaggrin (FLG) gene.

Objective  To assess the impact of FLG null mutations on biophysical properties and the molecular composition of the stratum corneum (SC) in healthy individuals and AD patients.

Methods  A total of 196 French adults, including 97 with a history of mild to moderate AD, were genotyped for the three major European FLG mutations. Components of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF), lipids and water content in the SC were determined using Raman spectroscopy. In addition, trans‐epidermal water loss, capacitance and pH of the SC were measured.

Results  Stratum corneum concentrations of total NMF, water, ornithine and urocanic acid (UCA) were significantly lower in AD patients than in healthy controls. Null mutations of FLG were detected in 4% of controls and 10% of AD patients. FLG mutations were associated with increased SC levels of lactate, reduced concentrations of most other NMF components and higher disease severity in AD patients. In AD patients without FLG mutations, the content of NMF constituents decreased with increasing disease severity. The concomittant presence of low concentrations of histidine, alanine and either glycine or pyrrolidone‐5‐carboxylic acid (PCA) in the SC was associated with FLG mutations with 92% specificity.

Conclusions  Our findings suggest a low prevalence of FLG mutations in mild AD and support an important role for filaggrin in determining the physicochemical parameters of the SC. The combined measurement of several filaggrin breakdown products in the SC may be useful to specifically predict the presence of FLG mutations.
Using systemic and psychodynamic psychotherapy with a couple in a community learning disabilities context: a case study
Authors: Barnes Jennifer Clare , Summers S. J.
Published: August 2011

Accessible summary

Systemic practice is about working with all the people who are important in someone’s life. Important people, such as friends and family, are seen as the ‘system’ around a person. This way of working does not see the problem as belonging to one person, but as belonging to the whole system.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is about trying to understand what’s happened in someone’s past and how this might be affecting their life today. People sometimes find themselves getting into the same difficulties in relationships again and again. This way of working tries to understand why the person has become ‘stuck’ in this way. The therapist will think about the client’s feelings and wishes about their life and their relationships. They will also think about the relationship that grows between therapist and client. Talking about the relationship between therapist and client can help people to understand problems that they have in other relationships.

This case study shows how psychological theory can help the therapist to decide what to do in therapy and how best to work with the client/s in understanding the problem.

This paper describes the process of couple therapy with a client who has a mild learning disability and cerebral palsy, and her partner, who also has cerebral palsy (all information has been anonymised and pseudonyms are used throughout). Informed consent was gained from both individuals for the purposes of writing about their case. Therapy spanned twelve sessions and was informed by systemic and psychodynamic ways of thinking. Formulations are discussed, and psychological theory is linked to what happened in the therapy room. The current study takes a reflective stance and discusses the process of therapy, which includes successes as well as pitfalls. Pertinent issues for people with learning disabilities are discussed in terms of power dynamics, the impact of physical disability, capacity to consent to therapy and the effects of abuse.
Subclavian Steal Syndrome Like Appearance Resulting from a Vertebral Artery Origin Stenosis: A Case Report
Authors: He Yu , Li Tong , Yang Chun‐rong , Zhao Yi‐xuan , Hu Yan‐bing
Published: August 2011

Partial steal has been regarded as a classic ultrasound appearance of subclavian steal syndrome. We report a case with the vertebral artery origin stenosis and intact subclavian artery, which showed the similar partial steal ultrasound features. The following computerized tomography angiography confirmed the stenosis. Therefore, when an alternating flow in the vertebral artery is detected, the investigation of its origin must be performed besides the ipsilateral subclavian artery.
Transtheoretical Model-based Postpartum Sexual Health Education Program Improves Women’s Sexual Behaviors and Sexual Health
Authors: Lee Jian-Tao , Tsai Jia-Ling
Published: August 2011

Introduction

Postpartum sexual health education was once routinely administered to postpartum women, but few interventions were specifically described or clearly based on theory, and few sexual interventions affected women’s sexual behaviors.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a refined theory-based interactive postpartum sexual health education program (IPSHEP) in enhancing postpartum women’s sexual behavior and health.

Methods

For this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 250 participants were randomized to three groups. Experimental group A received our refined theory-based IPSHEP. Experimental group B received only an interactive, self-help pamphlet. The control group received routine education (a 10- to 15-minute educational talk and a sexual health pamphlet without an interactive design). Data were collected at baseline, 3 days, 2 months, and 3 months postpartum.

Main Outcome Measure

Postpartum women’s sexual self-efficacy (SSE), diversity of sexual activity (DSA), return to sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction (SS).

Results

Women who received our theory-based postpartum sexual health education program had significantly greater SSE (P < 0.05) and greater DSA (P < 0.05), and tended to resume their sexual life earlier than women in the routine teaching and interactive pamphlet-only groups (P < 0.05). However, the SS levels of postpartum women who received our program did not differ significantly from those of women who received routine teaching or the interactive pamphlet only.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that a theory-based postpartum sexual health education program improved women’s sexual health and sexual behavior and that the transtheoretical model can be translated into practice, supporting its use to enhance the sexual health of postpartum women. Despite the lack of a significant effect on SS, women who received our theory-based postpartum sexual health education program tended to maintain their prepregnancy level of SS in early postpartum.
INFLUENCE OF SURFACE COATING WITH XANTHAN GUM ON HEAT TRANSFER DURING DEEP‐FAT FRYING OF POTATO STRIPS
Authors: KIM DEOK NYUN , MIN BOCKKI , LEE SUNG HO , LEE SUYONG
Published: August 2011

Potato strips were coated with xanthan gum solutions (0.3, 0.6, 0.9%, w/v) which exhibited shear‐thinning and weak gel‐like characteristics. Then, the effects of the surface coating on heat transfer during deep‐fat frying of the potato strips were investigated as a function of concentration of xanthan gum solutions. Deep‐fat frying of surface‐coated potato strips exhibited sigmoidal temperature profiles which were shown to be dependent on the concentration of xanthan gum solutions. Heat transfer coefficients were also determined to be between 215 and 254 W/m2 K. The use of higher concentration of xanthan gum led to a distinct decrease in heat transfer coefficients during frying of potato strips, which were shown to be highly correlated to the viscosity of xanthan gum solution (R2 = 0.99). It thus suggested that the surface coating of potato strips with xanthan gum might create an insulating layer, consequently reducing the rate of heat transfer during frying.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Coating and batters in the frying industry are the common methods to reduce the oil uptake of fried foods. However, few experiments have been carried out to investigate the changes in the heat transfer during frying when a food matrix is coated or battered. In this study, a food matrix coated with hydrocolloid solutions was subjected to deep‐fat frying during which heat transfer coefficients were investigated. Our results obtained in this study can provide a fundamental understanding for the mechanisms of heat transport in coated (or battered) fried food systems, consequently helping optimization and control of a frying process.
Incomplete longitudinal fractures and fatigue injury of the proximopalmar medial aspect of the third metacarpal bone in 55 horses
Authors: MORGAN R. , DYSON S.
Published: August 2011

Reasons for performing study:Previous descriptions of incomplete longitudinal fractures and fatigue injury of the proximopalmar aspect of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) have focused on diagnostic imaging findings, especially in racehorses.

Objectives:To document the case details, clinical features, response to diagnostic analgesia, diagnostic imaging findings and follow‐up data in a large group of horses with an incomplete longitudinal fracture or fatigue injury of the proximopalmar medial aspect of the McIII.

Materials and methods:Horses were included in the study if pain was localised to the proximopalmar aspect of the metacarpal region, with radiological evidence of an incomplete longitudinal fracture or generalised increased radiopacity in the proximopalmar medial aspect of the McIII, or focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU) in the proximopalmar aspect of the McIII. Age, breed, gender, height, bodyweight, work discipline, work history, duration of lameness, clinical signs and responses to diagnostic analgesia were recorded. Radiographic and scintigraphic images were assessed subjectively and objectively.

Results:There were 55 horses representing a broad spectrum of ages and work disciplines, 73% of which had radiological abnormalities. The majority had no localising clinical signs, although 73% of horses with radiological abnormalities showed a characteristic pattern of lameness. Lameness was generally worse in straight lines than in circles. Increased radiopharmaceutical uptake ranged from mild to intense in the lame limb; 14% of nonlame limbs had mild IRU. Of horses for which long‐term follow‐up was available, 98% returned to full athletic function.

Conclusions and potential relevance:Incomplete longitudinal fractures and fatigue injury of the proximopalmar medial aspect of the McIII may occur in horses of many types and sports disciplines, and are not confined to immature performance horses. They should be considered an important differential diagnosis for proximal metacarpal region pain.
A NEW INTERPRETATION OF THE RELATION BETWEEN CHOICE‐REACTION TIME AND THE NUMBER OF EQUIPROBABLE ALTERNATIVES
Authors: Laming D. R. J.
Published: August 2011

The interpretation of the results of Hick and Merkel in terms of Communication Theory has failed to lead to a satisfactory theory of choice‐reaction times. This paper presents an alternative interpretation of the original results in terms of n parallel decision processes, the reaction time being determined by whichever of these n decisions takes the longest. This interpretation is slightly preferable in that it gives an adequate account of the variances obtained by Hick. Some of the implications of this new interpretation are discussed.
TEMPORAL SUMMATION AND ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS THRESHOLDS
Authors: Shallice T.
Published: August 2011

Three normative models based on the Change Detector analogies of Shallice (1964) are investigated to see how well they account for the integration of input over time that occurs in absolute brightness threshold experiments. Of the three, the geometric moving average receives no support. The perceptual moment and moving average models give about equally satisfactory but not perfect fits for short flash results, but the perceptual moment model is much more satisfactory for long flash results.

The analysis takes into account variations in information transmission times, noise in the visual system and the quantal nature of the light input. The locus of temporal integration is discussed and a central locus preferred, following Treisman (1966).
A GENERALIZED COMMON FACTOR ANALYSIS BASED ON RESIDUAL COVARIANCE MATRICES OF PRESCRIBED STRUCTURE
Authors: McDonald Roderick P.
Published: August 2011

An algorithm is described, the purpose of which is to express a correlation matrix as the sum of two matrices, of which one is of rank less than its order, and the other, the residual matrix, is of prescribed structure. Applications are described to approximate simplex and circumplex matrices, to the factoring of groups of variables, and to a form of multi‐mode factor analysis.
MULTIPLE CONTRASTS, FACTORS, ERROR RATE AND POWER
Authors: Rodger R. S.
Published: August 2011

A method is given for choosing (post hoc) a set of v1 mutually orthogonal null contrasts such that the maximum number (r) rejectable by a new criterion are rejected and v1 – r retained. Type I error rate is defined as the expected proportion of the v1 decisions which will be errors when all nulls are true. Because the new criterion uses F, the expected proportion of rejections can be calculated for the case when all nulls are not true, and this is taken as the definition of power. Theoretical means are deducible from decisions for v1 mutually orthogonal contrasts and, if rejected null contrasts are given suitable non‐zero values, there is no ambiguity about the theoretical means. The traditional values of FΓ; v1, v2 ‘load the dice’ against finding true interactions ‘significant’ in factorial analyses. The new values (table given) do not have this property and their use is illustrated using a one‐way anova on data from a factorially designed experiment. This procedure permits the analysis of unequal replications in factorially designed experiments.
THE NUMBER OF NON‐ZERO, POST HOC CONTRASTS FROM ANOVA AND ERROR‐RATE. I
Authors: Rodger R. S.
Published: August 2011

When Fm in anova is significant, Scheffé's procedure provides no limit to the number of contrasts which can be declared significant. The new procedure described here provides a limit (r) to the number of significant contrasts which can be asserted. If assertions are made for v1 contrasts, which include r declarations of significance, the expectation of r/v1 will be a linearly decreasing function of v1 if traditional critical F values are used. A table is provided of new critical F values which set this expectation at a constant (0.05 or 0.01). The new critical F values are recommended for use whenever contrasts are sought, post hoc, for significance.
SETTING REJECTION RATE FOR CONTRASTS SELECTED POST HOC WHEN SOME NULLS ARE FALSE
Authors: Rodger R. S.
Published: August 2011

Rodger (1967) proposed a procedure for selecting contrasts for decision‐making post hoc. Using new critical F values (Rodger, 1975), the method keeps the expected proportion of null contrasts rejected (when all nulls are true) at a fixed level Eα (e.g. 0.05) by rejecting a calculated number r and retaining v1 – r nulls. The present paper reports parameters Δ[Eβ]; v1 v2 from the non‐central variance‐ratio distribution which has the overall, non‐central parameter Δm = v1 Δ[Eβ]; v1, v2 = v1 Ng3. This Δm is appropriate when v1 mutually orthogonal contrasts, across the true means μj, each have the value δ = ± gσ √Σcj2. The tabled parameters allow the user to calculate the sample size N required to set the expected null contrast rejection rate at Eβ (e.g. 0.95) when the above Δm is true.
Luce's choice axiom compared with choice‐reaction data
Authors: Laming Donald
Published: August 2011

An error by the author in comparing Luce's choice axiom with choice‐reaction data is here corrected. After a brief description of the experiment, a likelihood‐ratio procedure is developed and the data re‐analysed, with attention to why the present analysis corrects the previous error. The axiom appears inconsistent with these data, possibly because the set of stimuli used had a natural physical structure. This result is consistent with other psychophysical studies and is germane to the bounds of applicability of the choice axiom.
Some properties of statistics used for measuring observer agreement in the recording of signs
Authors: Everitt B. S.
Published: August 2011

Two indices for measuring agreement between raters axe discussed. Variances of these indices are found which enable tests to be made of whether a sample value differs from the value to be expected under a particular model of chance rating. Lastly, the issue of correcting indices of agreement for chance agreement is briefly discussed.
The importance of being conservative: Some reflections on human Bayesian behaviour
Authors: Navon David
Published: August 2011

The phenomenon of conservatism in human Bayesian probability revision is examined for possible adaptive advantages. It is proved that violation of the assumption of conditional independence of data that are not taken into account is likely to result in posterior odds which are too extreme. In addition, any uncertainty in the reliability of the data implies that a Bayesian processor acting on the assumption that the data are reliable will overestimate posterior odds. It is argued that violations of either of the assumptions of conditional independence and reliability of the data are very common. Because of the nature of most inference situations, the existence or magnitude of such violations is often unknown to the processor. Hence conservatism may be interpreted as a desirable mechanism that compensates for the overconfidence inherent in the inference situation. Finally, it is shown that several findings in the Bayesian paradigm may be regarded as outcomes of a process that behaves optimally in view of the violation of these two assumptions.