bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A dynamical model of drying process of a polymer solution having plural solvents and plural solutes (polymers) coated on a flat substrate for a flat and homogeneous polymer film fabrication
Authors: Kagami Hiroyuki , Kubota Hiroshi
Published: November 2010

Flat and homogeneous polymer film fabrication such as resist coating in photo lithography process is very important for minute fabrication. In many cases, a polymer solution having plural solvents and plural solutes (polymers) is generally used there. So we modify the former dynamical model of drying process of polymer solution coated on a flat substrate for flat and homogeneous polymer film fabrication so as to deal with drying process of solution having plural solutes and plural solvents. As a result, we see that when there are over two kinds of solvents and over two kinds of solutes, solute's distribution after drying obeys the mean value of over two kinds of solvents' parameters through numerical simulations of the modified model. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Epitaxial graphene growth on 4H‐SiC (0001) with precisely controlled step‐ terrace surface by high temperature annealing above 2000 °C in UHV
Authors: Ushio Shoji , Yoshii Arata , Tamai Naoto , Ohtani Noboru , Kaneko Tadaaki
Published: November 2010

Surface graphitization of 4H‐SiC (0001) at high temperature up to 2100 °C in ultra high vacuum (UHV) was observed for the first time in this study. From precisely controlled SiC step‐terrace surfaces, uniform graphitized surface morphologies with large terraces appeared at anneal temperatures above 2000 °C. All the high‐temperature processes were performed by using a newly constructed all metal chamber which enables to elevate temperature from 800 °C to 2000 °C within a minute in UHV. Initial step‐terrace surfaces consisting of 1.0nm step height were achieved on 4H‐SiC (0001) by utilizing newly proposed Si‐vapor etching in a “semi‐closed” TaC container. By estimations of Raman spectra, mainly bilayer graphene was obtained at temperatures from 1600 °C to 2100 °C. Estimation of Raman spectra also indicated that larger domain size graphene grows at higher temperatures, which coincides well with the results of morphological changes observed by AFM measurements. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photoluminescence properties of CdSe/ZnS/TOPO nanocrystals in full‐ and half‐microcavity structures
Authors: Oda Masaru , Kazita Hiroyuki , Obara Yuki , Tani Toshiro
Published: November 2010

We report a recent study on photoluminescence (PL) properties of CdSe/ZnS/TOPO nanocrystals (NCs) in a planar full microcavity composed of top and bottom two metal (Ag) mirrors, and also in a similar structure but without top mirror, i.e. half‐microcavity, respectively. Angular‐dependencies of PL spectra and PL decay curves have been measured to investigate PL modifications due to light‐matter coupling in the microcavities. Obtained results indicate that PL dynamics are drastically changed depending on the microcavity structures. In the full‐microcavity, PL emission is directed at particular angles and its decay‐time is shortened, both of which can be described in terms of so‐called Purcell effect, i.e. the interaction between photon‐modes and confined excitons in the NCs. As for the half‐microcavity, anomalous PL band appears at low energy side of a main PL band associated with the confined excitons. The origin of the anomalous PL will be interpreted as due to the interaction between specific photon‐modes in the half‐microcavity structure and excitons associated with surface states. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of substrate temperature on ZnO thin film fabrication by using an atmospheric pressure cold plasma generator
Authors: Suzaki Yoshifumi , Kawaguchi Akiou , Murase Takehiko , Yuji Toshifumi , Shikama Tomokazu , Shin Dong‐Bum , Kim Yoon‐Kee
Published: November 2010

Under atmospheric pressure, homogeneous non‐equilibrium cold plasma was generated stably by high voltage pulsed power (1 kV, 20 kHz) excitation of He and O2 gases. By feeding Zn‐MOPD (C18H30O6Zn) into this plasma with He carrier gas, transparent flat ZnO films about 240 nm thick were successfully fabricated on glass substrates directly under a slit made into the cathode. Transmittance of the film is about 80% in the wavelength range from 400 to 600 nm. An XRD measurement revealed that these ZnO films had a c‐axis oriented polycrystalline structure. By increasing the substrate temperature from 250 to 400 °C, electrical resistivity of the film decreased from 0.42 Ωm to 9.4 × 10–4 Ωm. A high temperature of the substrate may change the growth pattern of ZnO film and its microstructure. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical and ferromagnetic properties of GdN thin films
Authors: Yoshitomi Hiroaki , Kitayama Shinya , Kita Takashi , Wada Osamu , Fujisawa Masashi , Ohta Hitoshi , Sakurai Takahiro
Published: November 2010

We studied the ferromagnetic phase transition and the resultant change in the optical band gap of GdN thin films grown by a reactive sputtering technique in an ultra‐high vacuum process. The GdN thin film exhibited two phases of spin ordering; the short correlation of spins starts to develop below ∼60 K, and the long‐range ferromagnetic ordering emerges below the Curie temperature of 37 K. GdN has been confirmed to be an indirect band gap semiconductor. We found that the band‐gap is dramatically reduced with the ferromagnetic spin ordering. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
“MBE‐Litho”: 3 nm‐thick amorphous GaAs oxidized thin film functioning as highly sensitive inorganic resist for EB lithography and oxide mask for selective processes
Authors: Matsuda Kazuhiro , Hirokawa Yuki , Ushio Shoji , Kaneko Tadaaki
Published: November 2010

Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is one of the growth methods, which has been widely used for single crystalline semiconductor materials. In this study, we report a novel function of a 3 nm‐thick amorphous GaAs thin layer deposited using MBE at room temperature. Its oxidized region exposed to H2O‐vapor ambient works as a highly sensitive inorganic resist film for low‐energy electron‐beam (LE‐EB) lithography of 1‐5 keV. In this method, the surface area modified by LE‐EB direct writing provides a thermally stable oxide pattern, which can be directly applied to successive selective processes such as etching and growth under MBE environment. All the condition required for its selective etching/growth is to remove the background residual GaAs oxide of EB non‐irradiated area in the same UHV chamber. Thus, MBE gives the simplest and most efficient solution to all the processes including the resist film pre‐depositing, the background oxide removing and the successive etching/growth functions. We call this solution “MBE‐Litho ”. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Infrared reflection study of the photodissociation of donor‐acceptor pairs in the low‐temperature phase of tetratiafulvalene‐tetrabromo‐p ‐benzoquinone crystal
Authors: Nakata Y. , Kubota N. , Itoh C.
Published: November 2010

We have studied the 532‐nm laser‐pulses‐induced changes in the infrared reflection of the single crystal of the charge‐transfer complex of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)‐tetrabromo‐p ‐benzoquinone (BA) at several temperatures. The laser excitation gave rise to reduction of the peaks attributed to the ag‐mode vibrations of TTF+ and BA–.

The fractional reduction of the reflectance (ΔR /R) of these peaks showed a power‐law dependence on the excitation power, and its power index was found to decrease with the temperature rise. The magnitude of the ΔR /R at the given excitation power showed a peak around 38 K irrespective to the excitation power. This behavior was discussed in relation to the temperature dependence of the reflection intensity of the ag‐mode structures. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Substrate dependence of Purcell enhancement in ZnO‐Ag multilayers
Authors: Lawrie B. J. , Mu R. , Haglund R. F.
Published: November 2010

Ag films in Ag‐MgO‐ZnO thin film multilayers support surface‐plasmon‐polaritons whose evanescent fields can dramatically affect the ZnO exciton recombination rate. Ultraviolet femtosecond pump‐probe spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy on these multilayers demonstrate that for MgO film thicknesses of 30 nm or less, the ZnO photoluminescence is enhanced, while the recombination rate is dramatically reduced for film thicknesses of 40‐60 nm, resulting in quenched photoluminescence. A comparison of heterostructures grown on Si and Al2O3 confirms that this phenomenon is substrate independent, though Si substrates do allow for surface plasmon polariton outcoupling through Si waveguide modes. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery using a multi‐functional miniaturein vivorobot
Authors: Wortman Tyler D. , Strabala Kyle W. , Lehman Amy C. , Farritor Shane M. , Oleynikov Dmitry
Published: November 2010

Background

Existing methods used to perform laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS) require multiple laparoscopic tools that are inserted into the peritoneal cavity through a single, specialized port. These methods are inherently limited in visualization and dextrous capabilities by working through a single access point. A miniaturein vivorobotic platform that is completely inserted into the peritoneal cavity through a single incision can address these limitations, providing more intuitive manipulation capabilities and improved visualization.

Methods

The miniaturein vivorobotic platform for LESS consists of a multi‐functional robot and a remote surgeon interface. The robot has two arms and specialized end effectors that can be interchanged to provide monopolar cautery, tissue manipulation, and intracorporeal suturing capabilities.

Results

This robot has been demonstrated in multiple non‐survival procedures in a porcine model, including four cholecystectomies.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using a multi‐functional miniaturein vivorobot platform to perform LESS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly nonrepetitive sequences: Winning strategies from the local lemma
Authors: Pegden Wesley
Published: November 2010

We prove game‐theoretic versions of several classical results on nonrepetitive sequences, showing the existence of winning strategies using an extension of the Lovász Local Lemma which can dramatically reduce the number of edges needed in a dependency graph when there is an ordering underlying the significant dependencies of events. This appears to represent the first successful application of a Local Lemma to games. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2011
A generic sampling framework for improving anomaly detection in the next generation network
Authors: Hashim Fazirulhisyam , Jamalipour Abbas
Published: November 2010

The heterogeneous nature of network traffic in next generation networks (NGNs) may impose scalability issue to traffic monitoring applications. While this issue can be well addressed by existing sampling approaches, owing to their inherent ‘lossy’ characteristic and data reduction principle, traditional sampling techniques suffer from incomplete traffic statistics, which can lead to inaccurate inferences of the network traffic. By focusing on two distinct traffic monitoring applications, namely, anomaly detection and traffic measurement, we highlight the possibility of addressing the accuracy of both applications without having to sacrifice one for the sake of the other. In light of this, we propose a generic sampling framework, which is capable of providing creditable network traffic statistics for accurate anomaly detection in the NGN, while at the same time preserves the principal purpose of sampling (i.e., to sample dominant traffic flows for accurate traffic measurement), and thus addressing the accuracy of both applications concurrently. With the emphasize on the accuracy of anomaly detection and the scalability of monitoring devices, the performance evaluation over real network traces demonstrates the superiority of the proposed framework over traditional sampling techniques. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualizing Resonance Energy Transfer in Supramolecular Surface Patterns of β‐CD‐Functionalized Quantum Dot Hosts and Organic Dye Guests by Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
Authors: Dorokhin Denis , Hsu Shu‐Han , Tomczak Nikodem , Blum Christian , Subramaniam Vinod , Huskens Jurriaan , Reinhoudt David N. , Velders Aldrik H. , Vancso G. Julius
Published: November 2010

Detection of an analyte via supramolecular host–guest binding and quantum dot (QD)‐based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal transduction mechanism is demonstrated. Surface patterns consisting of CdSe/ZnS QDs functionalized at their periphery with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) were obtained by immobilization of the QDs from solution onto glass substrates patterned with adamantyl‐terminated poly(propylene imine) dendrimeric “glue.” Subsequent formation of host–guest complexes between vacant β‐CD on the QD surface and an adamantyl‐functionalized lissamine rhodamine resulting in FRET was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy, spectroscopy, and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM).
Compositional noninterference from first principles
Authors: Morgan Carroll
Published: November 2010

The recently formulated
Shadow Semantics
for noninterference-style security of sequential programs avoids the Refinement Paradox by preserving demonic nondeterminism in those cases where reducing it would compromise security. The construction (originally) of the semantic domain for
The Shadow
, and the interpretation of programs in it, relied heavily on intuition, guesswork and the advice of others. That being so, it is natural after the fact to try to reconstruct an idealised “inevitable” path from first principles to where we actually ended up: not only does one learn (more) about semantic principles by doing so, but the “rational reconstruction” helps to expose the choices made, along the way, and to legitimise the decisions that resolved them. Unlike our other papers on noninterference, this one does not contain a significant case study: instead its aim is to provide the most accessible account we can of the methods we use and why our model, in its details, has turned out the way it has. In passing, it might give some insight into the general role and significance of compositionality and testing-with-context for program semantics. Finally, a technical contribution here is a new “Transfer Principle” that captures uniformly a large class of classical refinements that remain valid when noninterference is taken into account in our style.
Hepatocyte growth factor promotes liver regeneration induced by transfusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells in a murine acute liver failure model
Authors: Jin Shi‐Zhu , Meng Xiang‐Wei , Sun Xun , Han Ming‐Zi , Liu Bing‐Rong , Wang Xin‐Hong , Pei Feng‐Hua
Published: November 2010

Background/Purpose

Bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation has been shown to facilitate tissue and organ regeneration and repair. BMMC transplantation may be a potential therapy for acute liver failure, and its effect might be further improved. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays an important role in liver cell development, and may ameliorate hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis in animal models. We therefore explored a potential synergistic effect of the co‐application of HGF and BMMCs in liver regeneration following carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced acute hepatic injury.

Methods

We established a murine acute liver failure model induced by CCl4 administration, and studied the effect of BMMC transplantation in combination with HGF. We used 4 groups of animals, one group was transfused with PKH26‐labeled BMMCs (5 × 106) and HGF [50 ng/(kg days) × 7 days] (BMMCs + HGF group), one group received BMMCs only, one group received HGF only, and one group received saline solution (0.9% NaCl) alone. The effects were examined by biochemical measurements of liver enzymes and quantitative image analysis for PKH26 labeling, and by determining proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and albumin expression 4 weeks after the BMMC transplantation.

Results

PKH26‐labeled BMMCs were detected in transplanted mouse livers, most of which expressed PCNA. PCNA and albumin expressions were increased significantly in the BMMCs + HGF group compared with the expressions of these parameters in the other 3 groups. Liver function, reflected by serum aminotransferase activity, was also improved in the BMMCs + HGF group relative to that in the other groups.

Conclusions

Data from the present study appear to suggest that BMMC transplantation combined with HGF administration exhibits a synergistic beneficial effect on improving both functional and histological liver recovery in a mouse model of acute liver failure.
The contribution of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) to a modern synthesis of evolutionary ecology
Authors: Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: November 2010

In this review, I consider the contribution that common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) has made towards integrating the ecology, evolution and genetics of species interactions.Oenothera bienniswas among the earliest plant models in genetics and cytogenetics and it played an important role in the modern synthesis of evolutionary biology. More recently, population and ecological genetics approaches have provided insight into the patterns of genetic variation within and between populations, and how a combination of abiotic and biotic factors maintain and select on heritable variation withinO. biennispopulations. From an ecological perspective, field experiments show that genetic variation and evolution within populations can have cascading effects throughout communities. Plant genotype affects the preference and performance of individual arthropod populations, as well as the composition, biomass, total abundance and diversity of arthropod species on plants. A combination of experiments and simulation models show that natural selection on specific plant traits can drive rapid ecological changes in these same community variables. At the patch level, increasing genotypic diversity leads to a greater abundance and diversity of omnivorous and predaceous arthropods, which is also associated with increased biomass and fecundity of plants in genetically diverse patches. Finally, in questioning whether a community genetics perspective is needed in biology, I review several multifactorial experiments which show that plant genotype often explains as much variation in community variables as other ecological factors typically identified as most important in ecology. As a whole, research in theO. biennissystem has contributed to a more complete understanding of the dynamic interplay between ecology, evolution and genetics.
Prevalence, Incidence, and Treatments of Dupuytren's Disease in the United States: Results from a Population-Based Study
Authors: DiBenedetti Dana Britt , Nguyen Dat , Zografos Laurie , Ziemiecki Ryan , Zhou Xiaolei
Published: November 2010

Background

This large population-based study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Dupuytren's disease in US adults and describe associated treatment patterns.

Methods

A total of 23,103 individuals from an Internet-based research panel representative of the US population completed a brief online survey designed to identify individuals with symptoms, diagnoses, and/or treatment experience indicative of Dupuytren's disease (mean age = 50 years).

Results

The prevalence of Dupuytren's disease defined as a self-reported physician diagnosis and/or surgical treatment was estimated as 1% (95% CI = 0.8–1.2), but the estimated prevalence is much higher (7.3%) when including self-reported symptoms of ropelike growth or hard bumps on the hand. The annual incidence proportion was estimated at about 3 cases per 10,000 adults. A total of 326 participants who reported relevant Dupuytren's symptoms, treatment, and/or diagnosis completed a more in-depth survey focusing on timing of medical treatments after first symptom noticed, description of functional impairment, treatment patterns, and family history. From the second survey, most patients who reported seeking treatment for hand symptoms initially saw a primary care physician, and the mean time from noticing the first hand symptom to seeing a doctor was 23.1 months. At their first doctor visit for hand symptoms, only 9% of patients received a diagnosis of Dupuytren's disease and 48% were advised to “wait and see” or received no treatment.

Conclusions

Results from the current study indicate a number of unmet medical needs, so strategies to raise physician awareness of disease symptoms and effective treatment options may be helpful.
Two New Eicosanoids with a Unique Isovalerianic Acid Ester Moiety from the South China Sea Gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea
Authors: Wang Chang‐Yun , Zhao Jie , Liu Hai‐Yan , Shao Chang‐Lun , Liu Qing‐Ai , Liu Yang , Gu Yu‐Cheng
Published: November 2010

Two new eicosanoids with a unique isovalerianic acid ester group at C‐12, named dichotellates A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea collected from the South China Sea using bioassay‐guided fractionation. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including one‐dimensional (1D) and two‐dimensional (2D) NMR as well as high‐resolution ESI‐MS experiments. These two compounds were evaluated for their lethal activity toward brine shrimp Artemia salina and both showed weak activity.
Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction of Oil and Protein Hydrolysates from Roasted Peanut Seeds
Authors: Zhang Shao Bing , Lu Qi Yu , Yang Hongshun , Li Yu , Wang Shuai
Published: November 2010

To evaluate the effects of the roasting process on the extraction yield and oil quality, peanut seeds were roasted at different temperatures (130–220 °C) for 20 min prior to the aqueous extraction of both oil and protein hydrolysates with Alcalase 2.4 L. Roasting temperatures did not significantly affect the yields of free oil, whereas the temperature of 220 °C led to a reduced recovery of protein hydrolysates. The color and acid values of peanut oils did not change significantly with roasting temperatures. The enzyme‐extracted oil with roasting at 190 °C had a relatively low peroxide value, a strong oxidative stability, and the best flavor score. Using the same seed‐roasting temperature (190 °C), quality attributes such as color, acid and peroxide values, phosphorus content and oxidative stability of the enzyme‐extracted oil were better than those of the oil obtained by an expeller. After the peanut seeds were roasted at 190 °C for 20 min, with a seeds‐to‐water ratio of 1:5, an enzyme concentration of 2%, and an incubation time of 3 h, the yields of free oil and protein hydrolysates were 78.6 and 80.1%, respectively. After demulsification of the residual emulsion by a freezing and thawing method, the total free oil yield increased to 86–90%.
European Defence in the Long Run: Can Europe Play a Leading Role in a Multipolar World?
Authors: Mendoza Alan
Published: November 2010

The global system is moving away from an order in which a Western state, most recently the US, is at the centre. Instead, the rise of China and India and other emerging economies, has caused a shift towards multipolarity. There is cause for concern as these new powers are not founded on the same values as those of Europe and the US. The decisions made are thus not only unaligned with the West, but these emerging economies also possess the power to implement and reinforce their decisions. Europe has taken certain initiatives to maintain some semblance of influence on today's global stage; however, these initiatives are not flawless.
The Future of Europe: Ongoing Work on an Effective Counter-crisis Strategy in the European Parliament
Authors: Karas Othmar
Published: November 2010

Although the initial economic crisis has passed, its effects are still being felt in Europe. The European Parliament must take a more active role in constructing, negotiating and implementing strategies to lift the European Union (EU) out of the crisis, especially in the decisions made by the Basel Committee. This article also makes further suggestions on what can be done to aid this process, including the introduction of a bank levy, the creation of EU credit market agencies, the strengthening of Eurostat and reformation in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Finally, the author seeks to explain the magnitude and scope of the economic crisis and what measures can be implemented to prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.
Emergency ultrasound identification of a lung mass
Authors: Chilstrom Mikaela , Stone Michael B.
Published: November 2010

Introduction

A 49-year-old woman with HIV and remote tobacco use presented with fever and 2 months of progressive dyspnea. A chest radiograph showed a right upper lobe pneumonia and treatment for community-acquired pneumonia was initiated.

Materials and methods

The emergency physician performed a bedside lung ultrasound that suggested a more complicated process and prompted computed tomography of the chest. This revealed a right upper lobe mass and lymphadenopathy consistent with neoplasm which was subsequently confirmed on bronchoscopy.

Conclusions

The role of lung ultrasound in the Emergency Department is reviewed and a new potential application of identifying patients in whom further diagnostic testing may be indicated is described.
α-Lipoic acid has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties: an experimental study in rats with carrageenan-induced acute and cotton pellet-induced chronic inflammations
Authors: Odabasoglu Fehmi , Halici Zekai , Aygun Hayati , Halici Mesut , Atalay Fadime , Cakir Ahmet , Cadirci Elif , Bayir Yasin , Suleyman Halis
Published: November 2010

α-Lipoic acid (ALA) has been termed the ‘ideal’ antioxidant, a readily absorbed and bioavailable compound capable of scavenging a number of free radicals, and it has been used for treating diseases in which oxidative stress plays a major role. The present study was designed to gain a better understanding for the positive effects of ALA on the models of acute and chronic inflammation in rats, and also determine its anti-oxidative potency. In an acute model, three doses of ALA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and one dose of indomethacin (25 mg/kg) or diclofenac (25 mg/kg) were administered to rats by oral administration. The paw volumes of the animals were calculated plethysmometrically, and 0·1 ml of 1 % carrageenan (CAR) was injected into the hind paw of each animal 1 h after oral drug administration. The change in paw volume was detected as five replicates every 60 min by plethysmometry. In particular, we investigated the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathioneS-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and myeloperoxidase (MPx), and the amounts of lipid peroxidation (LPO) or total GSH in the paw tissues of CAR-injected rats. We showed that ALA exhibited anti-inflammatory effects on both acute and chronic inflammations, and a strongly anti-oxidative potency on linoleic acid oxidation. Moreover, the administration of CAR induced oedema in the paws. ALA significantly inhibited the ability of CAR to induce: (1) the degree of acute inflammation, (2) the rise in MPx activity, (3) the increases of GST and iNOS activities and the amount of LPO and (4) the decreases of GPx, GR and SOD activities and the amount of GSH. In conclusion, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of ALA, which has a strong anti-oxidative potency, could be related to its positive effects on the antioxidant system in a variety of tissues in rats.
Is the effect of prior exercise on postprandial lipaemia the same for a moderate-fat meal as it is for a high-fat meal?
Authors: Hurren Nicholas M. , Eves Frank F. , Blannin Andrew K.
Published: November 2010

Moderate-intensity exercise can lower the TAG response to a high-fat meal; however, the British diet is moderate in fat, and no study to date has compared the effect of such exercise on responses to high-fat and moderate-fat meals. The present work investigated the effect of brisk walking performed 13 h before intake of both high-fat and moderate-fat meals on postprandial plasma TAG concentrations. Eight inactive, overweight men completed four separate 2 d trials, i.e. rest (Con) or a 90-min treadmill walk (Ex) on the evening of day 1, followed by the ingestion of a moderate-fat (Mod) or high-fat (High) meal on the morning of day 2. High-fat meals contained 66 % of total energy as fat, while the percentage was 35 % for moderate-fat meals; both the meals were, however, isoenergetic. On day 2, venous blood was sampled in the fasted state, 30 and 60 min after ingesting the test meal and then hourly until 6 h post-meal. Exercise reduced plasma TAG concentrations significantly (P < 0·001), with no exercise × meal interaction (P = 0·459). Walking reduced the total TAG response to a high-fat meal by 29 % (relative to High Con); the same bout of exercise performed before ingesting a moderate-fat meal lowered total TAG by 26 % (compared with Mod Con). The ability of a single moderate-intensity aerobic exercise bout to lower postprandial TAG concentrations is just as great, in percentage terms, when the test meal ingested is of a moderate rather than a high fat content.
Phosphorus efficiency in a long-term wheat–rice cropping system in China
Authors: TANG X. , SHI X. , MA Y. , HAO X.
Published: November 2010

Long-term (over 14 years) experiments on winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)–rice (Oryza sativaL.) crop rotations were conducted in Southwest China to investigate phosphorus (P) fertilizer utilization efficiency, including the partial factor productivity (PFP), agronomic efficiency (AE), internal efficiency (IE), partial P balance (PPB), recovery efficiency (RE) and the mass (input–output) balance. The seven treatments were Control, N, NP, NK, NPK, NPKM and NPKSt, representing various combinations of inorganic fertilizers (N, P and K), manure (M) and the application of rice straw (St). Without P application, the soil could supplyc. 14·7–22·5 kg P/ha annually and produce, on average,c. 1·8 t/ha wheat and 6·0 t/ha rice. Phosphorus fertilization increased crop yields by 65·5 and 11·4% for wheat and rice, respectively, over the 14 years. The PFP values ranged from 80·2 to 177 kg grain/kg P fertilizer for wheat and from 222 to 255 kg/kg for rice in the NPK treatments. However, the mean AE over the 14-year period was 31·9 and 21·3 kg grain/kg inorganic P fertilizer for wheat and rice, respectively. The mean IE was 214 and 318 kg grain/kg P uptake for wheat and rice, respectively, during the cultivation period. The PPB for the whole rotation system over the 14 years ranged from 0·58 to 0·64. However, the mean RE of P fertilizer was 0·26 (varying from 0·22 to 0·29) in the wheat–rice cropping system over the 14-year period. For every 100 kg surplus P/ha per year, the concentration of soil P extracted by 0·5mNaHCO3at pH 8·5 (Olsen-P) would increase by, on average, 4·12 mg/kg in soil. For the wheat–rice cropping system, the current P application rate of 55–65 kg P/ha per year is able to sustain annual yields of about 3 t/ha for wheat and 7 t/ha for rice. This study suggests that, in order to achieve higher crop yields, the P fertilizer utilization efficiency should be considered when making P fertilizer recommendations in wheat–rice cropping systems.
Integrated soil management – moving towards globally sustainable agriculture
Authors: KILLHAM K.
Published: November 2010

This review introduces the main concepts behind integrated soil management (ISM) and examines the ways in which it currently operates. It suggests the scope for future technological development. The review also highlights the potential of ISM to address the challenge of meeting the demands of the increasing world population, while maintaining sustainable agro-ecosystems, as judged from long-term soil fertility, environmental and socio-economic perspectives. Changes to policy, governance and funding worldwide will be needed to conserve and manage the soil resource, and to restore already degraded systems. Research should be prioritized to ensure continued delivery of new soil technologies. Such changes must engage all land-use stakeholders, must involve educational, training and extension programmes and must embrace the multidisciplinarity required for effective soil conservation and management.
Fluid flows driven by light scattering
Authors: WUNENBURGER R. , ISSENMANN B. , BRASSELET E. , LOUSSERT C. , HOURTANE V. , DELVILLE J.-P.
Published: November 2010

We report on the direct experimental observation of laser-induced flows in isotropic liquids that scatter light. We use a droplet microemulsion in the two-phase regime, which behaves like a binary mixture. Close to its critical consolute line, the microemulsion undergoes large refractive index fluctuations that scatter light. The radiation pressure of a laser beam is focused onto the soft interface between the two phases of the microemulsion and induces a cylindrical liquid jet that continuously emits droplets. We demonstrate that this dripping phenomenon takes place as a consequence of a steady flow induced by the transfer of linear momentum from the optical field to the liquid due to light scattering. We first show that the cylindrical jet guides light as a step-index liquid optical fiber whose core diameter is self-adapted to the light itself. Then, by modelling the light-induced flow as a low-Reynolds-number, parallel flow, we predict the dependence of the dripping flow rate on the thermophysical properties of the microemulsion and the laser beam power. Satisfying agreement is found between the model and experiments.
Family Policy and the Governance of Anti-Social Behaviour in the UK: Women's Experiences of Intensive Family Support
Authors: PARR SADIE
Published: November 2010

In seeking to make sense of the role of intensive family support in the governance of anti-social behaviour, this paper focuses analytical attention on one case study project, the Family Support Service. It draws on interview material from five women whose experiences were tracked in repeat interviews over an 18-month period. The Family Support Service entailed intense surveillance and supervision of marginalised populations in domestic private spaces and did, therefore, have controlling and disciplinary qualities, particularly with regard to the families living in ‘core’ residential accommodation. Yet, in spite of this, the Family Support Service also contained a significant social welfare ethos based on finding long-term sustainable solutions to individuals’ problems, not least security of housing and income. This paper argues that while we must confront the worrying and disconcerting aspects of intensive family support, the intervention might be conducive to helping disadvantaged and troubled families access better lives. There is a need for further research, however, about how to achieve less punitive types of family intervention and, therefore, how progressive change for vulnerable families might be generated.
Researching the end-of-life in old age: cultural, ethical and methodological issues
Authors: LLOYD LIZ , WHITE KATE , SUTTON EILEEN
Published: November 2010

Increased life expectancy has strengthened the association between old age and death, with significant implications for gerontology and for the generation of knowledge through research. The global rise in chronic disease has had a significant impact on the duration and shape of dying trajectories in old age and their variations. This development poses ethical and methodological challenges for researchers, not least because it is often difficult to establish whether an older person is ‘dying from’ as opposed to ‘living with’ one or more diseases. This paper reports a comprehensive literature review of empirical research on the end-of-life in old age, and has two inter-related themes. It explores the social and cultural contexts of death and critically analyses the methods and ethical approaches adopted by researchers. Cross-cultural studies and studies in which cultural factors were of prime interest were selected with a view to examining the concept of a ‘good death’ in old age. The paper discusses the evidence of cultural similarities and differences and the impact of social and cultural change on ideas concerning a good death. It identifies contemporary influences and pressures on end-of-life care for older people and discusses the significance of communication and the roles of families and service providers. The paper concludes by identifying substantive and methodological lessons for researchers in gerontology and suggests ways in which the impact of research might be enhanced.
Exploring generational intelligence as a model for examining the process of intergenerational relationships
Authors: BIGGS SIMON , HAAPALA IRJA , LOWENSTEIN ARIELA
Published: November 2010

The purpose of this article is to examine an emerging model of intergenerational relationships that takes as its starting point the degree to which it is possible to place oneself in the position of a person of another age, the ‘age-other’. The paper explores an experiential approach that draws on both sociological thinking on ‘generational consciousness’ and a debate in family gerontology on the relationships between conflict, solidarity and ambivalence. The main emphasis is on the processes of generational experience, and a working distinction is made between the informational ‘intelligence’ that is culturally available to social actors and the degree to which it is possible ‘to act intelligently’. The latter itemises the steps that would need to be taken to become critically self-aware of age as a factor in social relations, including the relative ability to recognise one's personal generational distinctiveness, acquiring understanding of the relationship between generations, critical awareness of the value stance being taken toward generational positions, and finally, acting in a manner that is generationally aware. The paper concludes with a consideration of how sustainable generational relations can be encouraged and the implications for future research into intergenerational relationships.
Adult children and parental care-giving: making sense of participation patterns among siblings
Authors: LEINONEN ANU M.
Published: November 2010

The aim of this article is to analyse 20 Finnish working carers' perceptions of their sibling relations and the sharing of the responsibility for parental care. The main focus is on the interviewees' rationales for the participation or non-participation of their siblings in the parents' care. Almost all the interviewed carers stated that the division of care responsibilities is unequal and that they are the primary carers, but the majority did not convey any clear intention to try to persuade their siblings to increase their participation in parental care. In many cases, the siblings were described either as entirely absent or as providing occasional backup, but some interviewees reported that caring for the parent(s) was shared with their other siblings. Consequently, three participation patterns were identified: ‘absence’, ‘backup’ and ‘togetherness’. All the interviewees offered rationales for the unequal division of care tasks and responsibilities among the siblings. The discussion focuses on these rationales and their variations by participation patterns, and considers the similarity of the findings to those from previous American and British studies. The study concludes that social-care services should take the primary carer's siblings into consideration, although not always as a ‘resource’. It should not be taken for granted or assumed that the primary care-giver receives help from her or his siblings, even if their relationship is otherwise close and unproblematic.
Prevalence, incidence, and persistence of syphilis infection in female sex workers in a Chinese province
Authors: WANG H. B. , SMITH K. , BROWN K. S. , WANG G. X. , CHANG D. F. , XU J. J. , DING G. W. , JIN X. , REILLY K. H. , WANG N.
Published: November 2010

The study's objectives were to investigate the prevalence, incidence, persistence, and associated risk factors of syphilis in female sex workers (FSWs) in Kaiyuan City, Yunnan, China. Three serial cross-sectional surveys were conducted and biological specimens were collected and tested for HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and drug use. The logistic Generalized Estimating Equation regression model was used to identify risk factors for prevalent syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis was 7·5%, 8·4% and 8·8%, respectively, in the three survey periods. Estimated syphilis incidence was 1·07 cases/100 person-years, and the persistence of syphilis per person at 6 months was 90·4%. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with syphilis were age, lower education level, number of clients in a week, inconsistent condom use with clients, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and Chlamydia trachomatis. Persistent syphilis in this population of FSWs is a serious public health concern.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphism (G894T) and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Authors: GIANNOPOULOS SOTIRIOS , MARKOULA SOFIA , ASPROUDIS IOANNIS , GALIDI ANNA , NIKAS ALEXIOS , KYRITSIS ATHANASSIOS P. , GEORGIOU IOANNIS
Published: November 2010

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is associated with vascular risk factors and a genetic predisposition for NAION. In this study, we examined the potential association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) G894T polymorphism with NAION. For this, 45 patients (29 men and 16 women) and 193 controls (122 men and 71 women) were enrolled prospectively and genotyped for eNOS genes. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis. The prevalence of eNOS polymorphisms was estimated in NAION patients and controls. Genotype frequencies were estimated with chi-square test, and odds ratios were calculated. We found that eNOS G894T polymorphism is not associated with NAION occurrence as the genotype and allele frequencies were not significantly different between the control and patient groups (TTvs. GG + GT: P = 0.646 and Tvs. G: P = 0.86). The precise mechanism of NAION occurrence has not been elucidated yet; since NAION may occur when a compromised watershed microcirculation is combined with insufficient autoregulation of systematic circulation, other alterations in the eNOS gene or polymorphism of genes involved in systematic circulation may be associated with NAION occurrence.
‘Every sort of manual type, and mostly foreigners’: migrants, brothers and festive kings in early modern Florence
Authors: ROSENTHAL DAVID
Published: November 2010

In 1522, the artisan festive ‘kingdom’ of the Biliemme put up the biggest street tabernacle in Florence. German textile workers were behind the tabernacle and this article argues that, at a time of crisis for German workers, these men looked to reassert their place in Florence through their participation in a citywide artisan festive subculture. Forty years later, Germans in the Biliemme district had largely been replaced by textile migrants from other parts of Italy. Nonetheless the kingdom remained a important vehicle for creating neighbourhood solidarities and for incorporating these new migrants into the artisan and civic world.
The splendour of bankers and merchants: Genoese garden grottoes of the sixteenth century
Authors: HANKE STEPHANIE
Published: November 2010

The article analyses the diffusion of artificial grottoes in Genoa during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in terms of their role in the construction of the ruling oligarchy's social identity. No other artistic genre offered a more effective means for bankers and merchants to flaunt their wealth and their network of international contacts. Grottoes comprising expensive corals and exotic shells functioned as a strategic marketing device whose cost and splendour satisfied not only the discerning humanist but also made a profound impression upon non-expert guests who were, first and foremost, potential future business clients.
Parading in public: patrician women and sumptuary law in Renaissance Siena
Authors: JACKSON PHILIPPA
Published: November 2010

In Renaissance Italy clothing, particularly of women, was strictly regulated; individuals were regularly denounced when walking through the city. Modesty was a virtue in a republican state and dress played a major part in urban identity, reflecting social values and those of the political regime. Sumptuary laws were a major mode of control, particularly of patrician women, whose dress reflected both their own and their family's wealth and status. Despite increased availability of luxurious fabrics encouraged by urban policies, legislation was used to prohibit new forms of dress and raise money for state coffers. At the end of the fifteenth century Pandolfo Petrucci (1452–1512) took control of Siena. The inner elite of his regime, particularly its female members, were given exemptions from the strict legislation and were able to flaunt their elevated status and the new social order.
Postscript: charismatic things and social transaction in Renaissance Italy
Authors: COHEN THOMAS V. , COHEN ELIZABETH S.
Published: November 2010

In 1860, Jacob Burckhardt published his view, still influential today, of an artful, urban Italian Renaissance that launched Europe on its passage to modernity. A lively revisionary scholarship has challenged Burckhardt on many points, but his famous formulae still resonate: the state as work of art; the development of the individual; the discovery of the world and of man. Although we now know that Italy did not alone invent the new age, it was for many years a trendsetter, especially in the domains of cultural production at the centre of this collection of essays. Republican and princely polities alike framed these developments, but, whoever ruled, Italy's unusually intense urbanization (paired with that in another well-spring of culture in the Low Countries) fostered innovation. In Renaissance cities, people and groups invested heavily in special actions, objects and places – charismatic cultural products empowered by holiness, beauty, fame and ingenuity – that fortified solidarity and resilience in uncertain times. This essay collection addresses a conjunction of urban culture and society distinctive to Renaissance Italy: an array of encounters of artifacts with ways of living in community.
Language distance and non-native syntactic processing: Evidence from event-related potentials
Authors: ZAWISZEWSKI ADAM , GUTIÉRREZ EVA , FERNÁNDEZ BEATRIZ , LAKA ITZIAR
Published: November 2010

In this study, we explore native and non-native syntactic processing, paying special attention to the language distance factor. To this end, we compared how native speakers of Basque and highly proficient non-native speakers of Basque who are native speakers of Spanish process certain core aspects of Basque syntax. Our results suggest that differences in native versus non-native language processing strongly correlate with language distance: native/non-native processing differences obtain if a syntactic parameter of the non-native grammar diverges from the native grammar. Otherwise, non-native processing will approximate native processing as levels of proficiency increase. We focus on three syntactic parameters: (i) the head parameter, (ii) argument alignment (ergative/accusative), and (iii) verb agreement. The first two diverge in Basque and Spanish, but the third is the same in both languages. Our results reveal that native and non-native processing differs for the diverging syntactic parameters, but not for the convergent one. These findings indicate that language distance has a significant impact in non-native language processing.