bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a triazine ring‐containing charring agent on fire retardancy and thermal degradation of intumescent flame retardant epoxy resins
Authors: Wang Xin , Hu Yuan , Song Lei , Xing Weiyi , Lu Hongdian , Lv Pin , Jie Ganxin
Published: August 2010

A triazine ring‐containing charring agent (PEPATA) was synthesized via the reaction between 2,6,7‐trioxa‐l‐phosphabicyclo‐[2.2.2]octane‐4‐methanol (PEPA) and cyanuric chloride. It was applied into intumescent flame retardant epoxy resins (IFR‐EP) as a charring agent. The effect of PEPATA on fire retardancy and thermal degradation behavior of IFR‐EP system was investigated by limited oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry (TG‐IR). The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of IFR‐EP systems were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The LOI values increased from 21.5 for neat epoxy resins (EPs) to 34.0 for IFR‐EP, demonstrating improved flame retardancy. The TGA curves showed that the amount of residue of IFR‐EP system was largely increased compared to that of neat EP at 700 °C. The new IFR‐EP system could apparently reduce the amount of decomposing products at higher temperatures and promotes the formation of carbonaceous charred layers that slowed down the degradation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of the strength of autohesion of plasma treated amorphous and semi‐crystalline PEEK films
Authors: Zhang Shengnan , Awaja Firas , James Natalie , McKenzie David R. , Ruys Andrew J.
Published: August 2010

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a promising material for the encapsulation of electronic components for medical implants but a strong and hermetic joining technology is required. Autohesion is a self‐bonding method that avoids the need for adhesives. The strengths of autohesive joins using amorphous and semi‐crystalline PEEK films after surface activation using RF plasma were compared. Both types of PEEK films showed successful autohesion after activation with the bond strength of the amorphous sample being twice as high as the bond strength of the semi‐crystalline sample. Plasma treatment increased the autohesion strength of PEEK with no observed change in surface roughness (as measured by profilometer). The water contact angle was reduced by the treatment. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was carried out to determine surface chemistry. In the case of the semi‐crystalline surface, plasma treatment increased the relative percentage of CO functional groups compared to the untreated surface. For treated surfaces nitrogen concentration correlated positively with bond strength while oxygen concentration correlated negatively with the semi‐crystalline PEEK samples and positively with the amorphous PEEK samples. The oxygen groups most likely are formed after the treatment by ambient oxidation are not conducive to bond formation, possibly because of the quenching of radicals that would otherwise form links. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Largely enhanced ductility of immiscible high density polyethylene/polyamide 6 blends via nano‐bridge effect of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Xiang Fangming , Wu Jun , Liu Li , Huang Ting , Wang Yong , Chen Chen , Peng Ya , Jiang Chongxi , Zhou Zuowan
Published: August 2010

Immiscible polymer blends usually exhibit negative deviation in mechanical properties compared with the corresponding pure polymers due to the weak interfacial bonding between the two polymers. Due to the bridge effect of the oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the craze and crack development at the load of stress, CNTs have been proved to be efficient toughening agent for polymers. In this work, functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) have been introduced into immiscible high density polyethylene/polyamide 6 (HDPE/PA6) blends through different sample preparation methods. The mechanical measurements demonstrate that, when the nanocomposite is prepared from the HDPE master batch, the sample exhibits excellent tensile strength and toughness simultaneously. For all the nanocomposites, FMWCNTs tend to migrate and/or maintain in PA6 particles, leading to the variation of the crystallization behavior in PA6 phase. Further results based on morphologies characterization indicate that the intensified interfacial adhesion between HDPE and PA6, which is realized by the nano‐bridge effect of FMWCNTs in the interfaces, is the main reason for the largely improved ductility. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A re‐evaluation of the influence of maternal insulin‐dependent diabetes on fetal nuchal translucency thickness and first‐trimester maternal serum biochemical markers of aneuploidy
Authors: Spencer K. , Cowans N. J. , Spencer C. E. , Achillea N.
Published: August 2010

Objective

To evaluate the influence of maternal insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on maternal serum free ß‐hCG, pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness from 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days of gestation in a large cohort of women screened prospectively for chromosomal anomalies.

Methods

Information on maternal IDDM status, maternal serum biochemical marker levels and fetal NT were collected from the prenatal screening computer records. On total, the control group included 83 972 and the IDDM group included 489 pregnancies. The median‐corrected free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A, expressed as MoM, and fetal NT, expressed as delta values, in the IDDM and non‐IDDM groups were compared.

Results

There were no significant differences between the IDDM and non‐IDDM groups in median‐corrected free β‐hCG (IDDM 1.01 MoM, non‐IDDM 1.01 MoM; p = 0.970), or mean delta NT (IDDM 0.00 mm, non‐IDDM 0.02 mm; p = 0.412). However, the median‐corrected PAPP‐A was significantly lower (IDDM 0.88 MoM, non‐IDDM 1.03 MoM; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In pregnancies with maternal IDDM, first‐trimester screening for chromosomal defects does not require adjustments for the measured fetal NT and maternal serum free ß‐hCG. However, for PAPP‐A the 15% reduction is large enough to require correction in the calculation of risks for chromosomal defects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CIGS absorbers and processes
Authors: Niki Shigeru , Contreras Miguel , Repins Ingrid , Powalla Michael , Kushiya Katsumi , Ishizuka Shogo , Matsubara Koji
Published: August 2010

The current status and future perspectives of Cu(In1−xGax)Se2(CIGS) solar cells and modules will be discussed in this paper. The conversion efficiencies of the state of the art laboratory‐scale CIGS solar cells exceeded 20%, which are comparable to those of crystalline Si solar cells. The requirements on the properties of CIGS absorbers to achieve such high efficiencies will be described. The CIGS modules are already commercially available based on two major CIGS deposition techniques such as co‐evaporation and selenization. The current status, problems, and prospects of co‐evaporation and selenization will also be discussed. High‐efficiency flexible CIGS solar cells with efficiencies similar to those fabricated on soda–lime glass (SLG) substrates have been achieved by developing a novel Na incorporation technique. Critical issues to demonstrate high‐efficiency flexible solar cells will also be discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The evolution of worry after breast cancer risk assessment: 6‐year follow‐up of the TRACE study cohort
Authors: Brain K. , Parsons E. , Bennett P. , Cannings‐John R. , Hood K.
Published: August 2010

Objectives: There is little evidence regarding the long‐term psychological implications of breast cancer risk assessment for women at moderate genetic risk. A follow‐up study of a trial cohort was conducted to evaluate psychological outcomes and their predictors at 6‐year follow‐up. A further aim was to examine threshold scores for high cancer worry.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 384 women assessed as moderate risk during a UK trial of genetic assessment (TRACE). Measures included cancer worry, perceived risk, health behaviours, general anxiety, psychological morbidity, optimism, and background variables assessed during TRACE and at 6‐year follow‐up.

Results: Reductions from baseline cancer worry and breast self‐examination (BrSE) frequency were maintained 6 years after risk assessment, with relatively consistent levels over short‐ and long‐term follow‐up. Provision of risk information led to short‐term reductions in perceived risk. During the 6‐year period, 43% of women reported having made lifestyle changes and 27% had requested a mammogram. Baseline and post‐risk cancer worry were the only significant predictors of long‐term cancer worry. Greater worry at baseline predicted more frequent BrSE and higher perceived risk, but not lifestyle change or mammogram requests, at 6 years. Eighteen percent of women reported cancer worry above a threshold of 12.5 at long‐term follow‐up, compared with 30% at baseline.

Conclusions: Overall reductions in cancer worry following moderate risk assessment were maintained in the long term. However, women at risk of sustained high cancer worry should be identified at an early stage in the risk assessment process for more intensive psycho‐educational intervention. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What is the evidence for the use of mindfulness‐based interventions in cancer care? A review
Authors: Shennan Christina , Payne Sheila , Fenlon Deborah
Published: August 2010

Objective: The aim of this paper is to present and critically appraise the evidence for the use of mindfulness‐based interventions in cancer care.

Methods: Systematic review methods were used. A thorough search of relevant major and specialised electronic databases was made and unpublished and ongoing work was also identified. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were eligible for inclusion. Information about aims, design, participant sample, measures, findings and intervention details were extracted from each study.

Results: Thirteen research papers and four conference abstracts published since 2007 were identified which met the criteria, reporting five different types of mindfulness intervention. The 13 papers composed of three randomised control trials, two non‐randomised control trials, five pre and post‐test designs and two qualitative studies. Studies report significant improvements in anxiety, depression, stress, sexual difficulties, physiological arousal and immune function or subjective benefits across all interventions. Methodological limitations were identified. Diversity in study designs and interventions makes comparisons between studies difficult. Some mindfulness interventions may have a place in acute treatment and palliative care.

Conclusion: Mindfulness approaches are a promising intervention in cancer care, potentially across the cancer trajectory. Further qualitative research and research into different styles of mindfulness delivery are recommended. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta‐analysis of genome‐wide and replication association studies on prostate cancer
Authors: Liu Hong , Wang Bo , Han Chunsheng
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND

Genome‐wide and replication association studies (GWAs) have identified multiple loci at which common variants modestly influence the risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa). To enhance the power to identify loci associated with PCa, we constructed a meta‐analysis of GWAs on PCa.

METHODS

Articles evaluating the effects of genome‐wide SNPs on PCa were identified by searching the PubMed database. After extraction of relevant data, main and subgroup meta‐analyses were performed to assess the effects of relevant SNPs on PCa.

RESULTS

21 eligible articles containing 71 subgroups were included in this meta‐analysis. Significant associations were found between 31 SNPs and PCa. They were rs445114, rs620861, rs983085, rs1016343, rs1447295, rs1859962, rs2660753, rs2710646, rs2735839, rs3760511, rs4242382, rs4430796, rs4962416, rs5945572, rs5945619, rs6470494, rs6501455, rs6983267, rs6983561, rs7000448, rs7214479, rs7501939, rs7920517, rs7931342, rs9364554, rs9623117, rs10090154, rs10486567, rs10896449, rs10993994, and rs16901979. The weighted odds ratios for above SNPs ranged between 0.64 and 1.88 (all P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis further indicated that the significant associations of some SNPs existed only in specific ancestry population (P < 10−5).

CONCLUSIONS

The current meta‐analysis demonstrated the moderate effects of above 31 SNPs on PCa and 14 independent PCa risk loci were identified. Prostate 71: 209–224, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of androgen receptor functions by gelsolin FxxFF peptide delivered by transfection, cell‐penetrating peptides, and lentiviral infection
Authors: van de Wijngaart Dennis J. , Dubbink Hendrikus J. , Molier Michel , de Vos Carola , Jenster Guido , Trapman Jan
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PC) growth is dependent on the androgen–androgen receptor (AR) axis. Because current androgen ablation therapies of PC lead to resistance, novel approaches to block AR activity are urgently needed.

METHODS

We inhibited AR function beyond the level of hormone binding by blockade of the coactivator groove in the ligand‐binding domain (LBD) using a high‐affinity gelsolin FxxFF peptide. Following peptide selection, the effect of the gelsolin FxxFF peptide on AR functions was determined in Hep3B cells that were transiently transfected with pM‐peptide expression vectors or were incubated with synthetic gelsolin FxxFF peptide coupled to the TAT cell‐penetrating peptide. Lentiviruses expressing the gelsolin FxxFF peptide were used to study endogenous AR target gene expression in LNCaP cells.

RESULTS

pM‐Gelsolin FxxFF efficiently interfered with AR N/C interaction and specifically inhibited AR‐regulated reporter gene activity. The peptide did not inhibit progesterone receptor (PR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity, nor constitutively active gene promoters. The peptide also specifically blocked in vitro interactions of AR LBD with peptides. Like the gelsolin FxxFF peptide expressed by an expression vector, synthetic TAT‐gelsolin FxxFF peptide efficiently blocked AR N/C interaction and inhibited full‐length AR‐regulated reporter gene activity. It hardly affected PR and GR activity, but the effect on constitutively active promoters was variable. Lentiviral gelsolin FxxFF peptide inhibited expression of KLK2 and NDRG1, but hardly affected PSA and TMPRSS2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the AR coactivator groove may function as a target to overcome therapeutic failure that arises during current androgen ablation therapies. Prostate 71:241–253, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural characterization of H plasma‐doped ZnO single crystals by Hall measurements and photoluminescence studies
Authors: Anwand Wolfgang , Brauer Gerhard , Cowan Thomas E. , Heera Viton , Schmidt Heidemarie , Skorupa Wolfgang , von Wenckstern Holger , Brandt Matthias , Benndorf Gabriele , Grundmann Marius
Published: August 2010

Nominally undoped, hydrothermally grown ZnO single crystals have been investigated prior to and after doping in remote H plasma. Characterizations have been made by temperature‐dependent Hall effect (TDH) and low temperature photoluminescence measurements. The H content before and after the doping has been determined using nuclear reaction analysis and is compared to the density of shallow donors derived from the TDH measurements. The electrical properties of the as‐grown ZnO single crystals are found to differ significantly. This is ascribed to the density ratio of shallow donors and compensating acceptors. PL measurements showed that AlZn, GaZn, and interstitial zinc (Zni) are prominent shallow donors in the as‐grown samples. Remote H plasma treatment produced a metallic conducting near‐surface layer thus masking the electrical properties of the bulk. The electrical properties of the investigated samples are very similar after the treatment, independent of the as‐grown state, because the density of shallow donors far exceeds that of compensating acceptors in the affected near‐surface region. The maximum of the broad near‐bandedge emission is found to be located at 3.3595 eV due to the high doping density.
Comparative evaluation of two different Opuntia ficus‐indica extracts for blood sugar lowering effects in rats
Authors: Butterweck Veronika , Semlin Lydia , Feistel Bjoern , Pischel Ivo , Bauer Katrin , Verspohl Eugen J.
Published: August 2010

Stems of Opuntia ficus‐indica (L.) Mill. (OFI) are traditionally used in Mexico to treat diabetes mellitus. Less research data are available for combinations of stem and fruit preparations. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of an aqueous extract prepared from the cladodes and a proprietary stem/fruit skin‐blend (stem/fruit skin ratio 75/25) of OFI on blood glucose and plasma insulin in normal rats. A dose finding study with the traditional cladode OFI extract revealed that maximum effects on blood glucose and insulin were observed after oral administration in a dose range of 6–176 mg/kg. The proprietary OFI blend significantly lowered blood glucose levels in the glucose tolerance test to a similar extent (p < 0.05 vs control) as the traditional aqueous cladode extract when administered in a dose of 6 mg/kg. In contrast to the aqueous extract, the proprietary blend significantly increased basal plasma insulin levels (p < 0.01 vs control) indicating a direct action on pancreatic beta cells. The results suggest that both OFI extracts exert hypoglycemic activities in rats in doses as low as 6 mg/kg but that the effects of the proprietary stem/fruit blend were more pronounced in our model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using habitat guilds to develop habitat suitability criteria for a warmwater stream fish assemblage
Authors: Persinger J. W. , Orth D. J. , Averett A. W.
Published: August 2010

The diversity of fish species found in warmwater stream systems provides a perplexing challenge when selecting species for assessment of instream flow needs from physical habitat analyses. In this paper we examined the feasibility of developing habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for the entire fish community of a warmwater stream using habitat guilds. Each species was placed a priori into a guild structure and habitat data were collected for depth, velocity, Froude number, distance to cover, embeddedness and dominant and subdominant substrate. Correct guild classification was tested with linear discriminant analysis for each species. Correct classification based on habitat‐use data was highest for riffle and pool‐cover guilds, whereas the fast‐generalist and pool‐run classes, the broader niche guilds, were more frequently misclassified. Variables most important for discriminating guilds were Froude number, velocity and depth in that order. Nonparametric tolerance limits were used to develop guild suitability criteria for continuous variables and the Strauss linear index was used for categorical variables. We recommend the use of a wide array of variables to establish more accurate habitat analysis. Additionally, guild HSC can be developed with similar effort to that needed to develop HSC for a small number of individual species. Results indicate that a habitat guild structure can be successfully transferred to another river basin and that habitats for a diverse fish assemblage can be adequately described by a small number of habitat guilds. This approach represents an alternative for incorporating entire fish assemblages into habitat analyses of warmwater stream systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Capture, governance, and resilience: strategy implications from the history of Rome
Authors: Carmeli Abraham , Markman Gideon D.
Published: August 2010

Organizational resilience is a subject of great interest to management and strategy scholars. Drawing on over 1,000 years of historical data on the Republic of Rome, and focusing primarily on the period of its establishment (509 BC–338 BC), we identify two generic strategies, capture and governance, that together are essential for organizational resilience. Capture strategy relates to market expansions, while governance strategy refers to the capacity of an organization to assimilate, retain, defend, and increase its dominance within annexed markets. The history of Rome also reveals four supporting tactics—saving power, maintaining a stronghold base, isolating and weakening adversaries, and creating forward outposts—that shore up and reinforce the capture and governance strategies, to create a more enduring and resilient enterprise. Interestingly, a system‐wide view of the strategy‐tactic framework also offers insights on resilience through smallness, thus illustrating its conceptual utility to organizations of all sizes including small enterprises. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clarifying the conditions and limits of the contributions of ordinary and dynamic capabilities to relative firm performance
Authors: Drnevich Paul L. , Kriauciunas Aldas P.
Published: August 2010

Strategy scholars have argued that capabilities can influence firm performance through a variety of means and mechanisms. However, the role of capabilities and their proposed contributions have been narrowly theorized and insufficiently tested. We contribute to resolving these issues by considering the conditions under which ordinary and dynamic capabilities contribute to higher relative firm performance. We do so by examining the positive and negative contributions of capabilities to relative firm performance as well as the effects of environmental dynamism and the degree of capability heterogeneity. We utilize measures of relative firm performance at both the process and firm level within a sample of Chilean firms, which due to a dynamic environment allows for a clearer link between the environment and the use of capabilities. We find that environmental dynamism negatively affects the contribution of ordinary capabilities and positively affects the contribution of dynamic capabilities to relative firm performance. Further, heterogeneity strengthens the contribution of dynamic capabilities to relative firm performance, but is less important for ordinary capabilities. Interestingly, we find support for the direct effects of capabilities to be stronger with a process‐level performance measure, whereas the influences of environmental dynamism and heterogeneity are stronger with a firm‐level measure. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Privacy preserving context transfer schemes for 4G networks
Authors: Terzis Iosif , Kambourakis Georgios , Karopoulos Giorgos , Lambrinoudakis Costas
Published: August 2010

In the near future, wireless heterogeneous networks are expected to interconnect in an all‐IP architecture. An open issue towards this direction is the uninterrupted continuation of the received services during handover between networks employing different access technologies. In this context, Mobile IP (MIP) is a protocol that allows fast and secure handovers. However, MIP per se cannot handle all the issues that surface during handovers in certain services, and more specifically, when the information of the current state of a service requires re‐establishment on the new subnet without having to repeat the entire protocol exchange with the mobile host from the outset. A number of methods have been proposed to solve the aforementioned problem, commonly referred to as secure context transfer. However, while such methods do succeed in minimising the disruption caused by security‐related delays, it seems that little has been done to protect the end‐users' privacy as well. In this paper, a number of privacy enhanced (PE) context transfer schemes are presented. The first two of them have been introduced in a previous work of ours while the other two are novel. All schemes are analysed in terms of message exchange and evaluated through simulations. The performance of our schemes is compared with the standard ones proposed by the Seamoby work group (WG). The results demonstrate that the proposed schemes are very efficient in terms of application handover times, while at the same time guarantee the privacy of the end‐user. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Phytosteryl Esters by Using Alumina‐Supported Zinc Oxide (ZnO/Al2O3) from Esterification Production of Phytosterol with Fatty Acid
Authors: Meng Xianghe , Pan Qiuyue , Yang Tiankui
Published: August 2010

The feasibility of zinc oxide‐catalyzed esterification of natural phytosterols with oleic acid was investigated well by a chemical process. The influences of various reaction parameters were evaluated. Basic solid zinc oxide is the most desirable catalyst due to its high selectivity (more than 90%), reusability, activity and less corrosivity, whereas sterol selectivity with other catalysts, such as H2SO4, NaHSO4and NaOMe, did not exceed 80%. Further results showed that during zinc oxide‐catalyzed synthesis, the nature of the acyl donor was of paramount importance with direct esterification with fatty acids, which gives better results with higher conversion rate selectivity and more mild reaction conditions than transesterification with methyl esters. The substrate molar ratio of 2:1 (oleic acid/phytosterol) was optimal. Other parameters such as optimal catalyst load (0.5%) and temperature (170 °C) showed a maximum production of steryl esters close to 98% after 8 h. It was also found that the amount of trans fatty acid formed in esterification was low, and the trans fatty acid content (%) in the phytosterol oleate ester fraction (3.26%) was much lower than that in free oleic oil (7.35%), which suggested that fatty acids in esters were more stable than free fatty acids regarding the combination with sterol. Immobilized ZnO could be a promising catalyst for replacing homogeneous and corrosive catalysts for esterification reactions of sterol.
Investigation on Sliding Wear Behaviour and Mechanical Properties of Jatropha Oil Cake‐Filled Glass‐Epoxy Composites
Authors: Mohan N. , Natarajan S. , KumareshBabu S. P. , Siddaramaiah
Published: August 2010

The effect of Jatropha oil cake (JOC) filler incorporation into glass fabric‐epoxy (G‐E) composites and its sliding wear and mechanical properties were evaluated. The sliding distance and applied load are the process parameters at constant sliding velocity. The results show that JOC‐filled composites exhibit better sliding wear performance at all test conditions. The wear loss increases with an increase in sliding distance and applied load, whereas under the same conditions, the specific wear rate decreases. The operating wear mechanisms have been studied at higher and lower sliding distances at applied loads of 10 and 20 N by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM results indicate more severe damage to matrix and glass fibre in unfilled composite systems compared to JOC‐filled composite.
Postnatal experiences influence the behavior in adult male and female Fischer and Lewis rats
Authors: Skripuletz Thomas , Kruschinski Carsten , Pabst Reinhard , von Hörsten Stephan , Stephan Michael
Published: August 2010

The postnatal environment with the rat pups' dam as the most important regulator, plays a central role in determining developmental processes of the offspring. Early disturbances of the dam‐pup‐dyade, like separation from the dam for hours (maternal deprivation, MD), or a short period of separation, and exposure to novelty, like the handling stimulation (HA), might induce long‐lasting changes within the individual. To further investigate the susceptibility to these postnatal manipulations with regard to both, sex and genetic background, we used male and female Fischer (F344) and Lewis (LEW) rats.

F344 and LEW rats were daily subjected to either HA, MD, or were left undisturbed until weaning. The immediate effects of these manipulations were studied using the mother–pup‐interaction‐test on postnatal days 3–7. At the age of 4 months, animals were subjected to a behavioral test battery, determining activity, exploration, and anxiety‐like behavioral parameters.

Postnatal manipulations induced significant alterations of the mother–pup‐interaction patterns that were more pronounced in F344 dams. MD and HA F344 dams were longer off pups than LEW dams. MD F344 pups were longer groomed than MD LEW pups and HA F344 pups were longer passive nursed than HA LEW pups. In adulthood, F344 rats showed increased anxiety‐like behavior compared to LEW rats. Furthermore, females of both strains exhibited more anxiety‐like behavior than males. Test independently, MD led to more anxiety‐like behavior and less exploratory responses, while handled rats exhibited an anxiolytic‐like behavior and increased exploratory responses.

In conclusion, postnatal experiences specifically altered the behavioral phenotype in adulthood. While these changes were co‐directional in the two strains and in both sexes, the degree of susceptibility varied.
The good, the bad, and the ugly: Influence of aesthetics on product feature judgments
Authors: Hoegg JoAndrea , Alba Joseph W. , Dahl Darren W.
Published: August 2010

As goods commoditize more quickly in terms of functionality, design is increasingly becoming a critical point of differentiation. The present research examines the interaction of aesthetic design and product evaluation, testing the conventional wisdom among practitioners that “what is beautiful is good.” Three studies examine how design influences feature processing when aesthetics and feature performance conflict. Study 1 reveals a bias in the direction of the unattractive product—a negative aesthetic effect—and provides initial evidence that this bias stems from thoughtful reconciliation of incongruous information and a consequent elaboration of the conflicting dimension. Studies 2 and 3 examine boundary conditions.
Computational Identification of miRNAs and Their Target Genes from Expressed Sequence Tags of Tea (Camellia Sinensis)
Authors: Prabu G.R. , Mandal A.K.A.
Published: August 2010

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a newly identified class of small non-protein-coding post-transcriptional regulatory RNA in both plants and animals. The use of computational homology based search for expressed sequence tags (ESTs) with the Ambros empirical formula and other structural feature criteria filter is a suitable combination towards the discovery and isolation of conserved miRNAs from tea and other plant species whose genomes are not yet sequenced. In the present study, we blasted the database of tea (Camellia sinensis) ESTs to search for potential miRNAs, using previously known plant miRNAs. For the first time, four candidate miRNAs from four families were identified in tea. Using the newly identified miRNA sequences, a total of 30 potential target genes were identified for 11 miRNA families; 6 of these predicted target genes encode transcription factors (20%), 16 target genes appear to play roles in diverse physiological processes (53%) and 8 target genes have hypothetical or unknown functions (27%). These findings considerably broaden the scope of understanding the functions of miRNA in tea.
Familiarity Breeds Investment: Diaspora Networks and International Investment
Authors: LEBLANG DAVID
Published: August 2010

What explains cross-national patterns of international portfolio and foreign direct investment (FDI)? While existing explanations focus on the credibility of a policy maker's commitment, we emphasize the role of diaspora networks. We hypothesize that diaspora networks—connections between migrants residing in investing countries and their home country—influence global investment by reducing transaction and information costs. This hypothesis is tested using dyadic cross-sectional data for both portfolio and FDI. The findings indicate that even after controlling for a multitude of factors, disapora networks have both a substantively significant effect and a statistically significant effect on cross-border investment.
On factorials expressible as sums of at most three Fibonacci numbers
Authors: Luca Florian , Siksek Samir
Published: August 2010

In this paper, we determine all the factorials that are a sum of at most three Fibonacci numbers.
Points de torsion sur les variétés abéliennes de type GSp
Authors: Hindry Marc , Ratazzi Nicolas
Published: August 2010

SoitAune variété abélienne définie sur un corps de nombresK, le nombre de points de torsion définis sur une extension finieLest borné polynomialement en terme du degré [L:K]. LorsqueAest isogène à un produit de variétés abéliennes simples de type GSp, c'est-à-dire dont le groupe de Mumford–Tate est « générique » (isomorphe au groupe des similitudes symplectiques) et vérifiant la conjecture de Mumford–Tate, nous calculons l'exposant optimal dans cette borne, en terme de la dimension des sous-variétés abéliennes deA. Le résultat est inconditionnel pour un produit de variétés abéliennes simples dont l'anneau d'endomorphismes est ℤ et la dimension n'appartient pas à un ensemble exceptionnel expliciteS= {4, 10, 16, 32, …}. Par ailleurs nous prouvons, suivant une stratégie de Serre, que si la conjecture de Mumford–Tate est vraie pour des variétés abéliennes de type GSp, alors la conjecture de Mumford–Tate est vraie pour un produit de telles variétés abéliennes.
High‐resolution climatology of the northeast Atlantic using Data‐Interpolating Variational Analysis (Diva)
Authors: Troupin C. , Machín F. , Ouberdous M. , Sirjacobs D. , Barth A. , Beckers J.‐M.
Published: August 2010

Numerous climatologies are available at different resolutions and cover various parts of the global ocean. Most of them have a resolution too low to represent suitably regional processes and the methods for their construction are not able to take into account the influence of physical effects (topographic constraints, boundary conditions, advection, etc.). A high‐resolution atlas for temperature and salinity is developed for the northeast Atlantic Ocean on 33 depth levels. The originality of this climatology is twofold: (1) For the data set, data are collected on all major databases and aggregated to lead to an original data collection without duplicates, richer than the World Ocean Database 2005, for the same region of interest. (2) For the method, climatological fields are constructed using the variational method Data‐Interpolating Variational Analysis. The formulation of the latter allows the consideration of coastlines and bottom topography, and has a numerical cost almost independent on the number of observations. Moreover, only a few parameters, determined in an objective way, are necessary to perform an analysis. The results show overall good agreement with the widely used World Ocean Atlas, but also reveal significant improvements in coastal areas. Error maps are generated according to different theories and emphasize the importance of data coverage for the creation of such climatological fields. Automatic outlier detection is performed, and its effects on the analysis are examined. The method presented here is very general and not dependent on the region, hence it may be applied for creating other regional atlas in different zones of the global ocean.
Tidal asymmetry in estuaries with mixed semidiurnal/diurnal tides
Authors: Nidzieko Nicholas J.
Published: August 2010

Tidal asymmetry in estuaries with mixed, mainly semidiurnal tides arises from both the interaction of principal tides and the higher harmonics generated by distortions within the estuary. The duration asymmetry in rise and fall of water level caused by principal tides on the west coast of the continental United States is ebb‐dominant, and so the tide entering estuaries is also ebb‐dominant, prior to any internal distortions within the estuary. The interaction of higher harmonics with principal constituents either augments or cancels the duration asymmetry in the principal tides. In estuaries where tidal elevation and velocity phase are near quadrature (90° out of phase), the duration asymmetry in tidal elevation leads to asymmetries in tidal current magnitude. Asymmetry can be conveniently quantified in terms of the sample skewness, γ1, the normalized third sample moment about the mean. An analytic approximation to the skewness shows that traditional metrics of asymmetry, namely the ratio of constituent amplitudes and the relative constituent phase difference, arise from calculating the third sample moment. Observations from three California estuaries of different morphologies are presented as an illustration of how skewness can be used to quantify asymmetry in real systems. As in semidiurnal systems, morphology is a good predictor of whether higher harmonics engender ebb‐dominance or flood‐dominance, however asymmetry imposed by principal tides at the mouth must first be overcome and so there is a spatial evolution in the total asymmetry. Quantifying observations via skewness should be considered in addition to traditional metrics in estuaries with mixed tides.
Characterization of soluble iron in urban aerosols using near‐real time data
Authors: Oakes Michelle , Rastogi Neeraj , Majestic Brian J. , Shafer Martin , Schauer James J. , Edgerton Eric S. , Weber Rodney J.
Published: August 2010

We present the first near‐real time (12 min) measurements of fine particle (PM2.5) water soluble ferrous iron (WS_Fe(II)) measured in two urban settings: Dearborn Michigan, and Atlanta, Georgia. A new approach was used to measure WS_Fe(II) involving a Particle‐into‐Liquid Sampler (PILS) coupled to a liquid waveguide capillary cell (LWCC) and UV/VIS spectrometer. We found no clear diurnal trends in WS_Fe(II) at any urban site studied. High temporal variability, however, was observed at all urban sites, where concentrations often changed from the method limit of detection (4.6 ng m−3) to approximately 300 to 400 ng m−3, lasting only a few hours. These transient events predominately occurred during times of low wind speeds and appeared to be from local sources or processes. In Atlanta, several WS_Fe(II) events were associated with sulfate plumes, and highest WS_Fe(II) concentrations were found in plumes of highest apparent aerosol acidity. At all locations studied, WS_Fe(II) was poorly correlated (R2 < 0.34) with light‐absorbing aerosol, indicating no direct linkage between mobile source emissions and enhanced WS_Fe(II) concentrations. WS_Fe(II) measured within a prescribed forest‐burn was strongly correlated with water soluble potassium (R2 = 0.88; WS_Fe(II)/WS_K = 15 mg/g), pointing to biomass burning as a source of WS_Fe(II); however, peak concentrations within the fire were low compared to transient events observed at the urban sites. Overall, WS_Fe(II) temporal trends for these urban sites consisted of low background concentrations with periodic short duration transient events that appear to be linked to unique industrial emissions or atmospheric processing of industrial emissions that form WS_Fe(II).
Evaporation from Arctic sea ice in summer during the International Geophysical Year, 1957–1958
Authors: Froyland Hugo K. , Untersteiner Norbert , Town Michael S. , Warren Stephen G.
Published: August 2010

Measurements of pan evaporation were made during the summers of 1957 and 1958 on an ice station drifting between 80° and 86°N. Using weather reports, measurements were either screened for absence of precipitation (to obtain evaporation, E) or not screened (to obtain P‐E). Applying the screened data either to the entire month or only to the days without precipitation results in upper and lower limits to E. Monthly average values of E are positive in June and July, 3–5 and 5–8 mm/month, within the range of prior estimates, but are negative in August and September, indicating net deposition of frost or dew, at variance with prior estimates. The monthly averages of latent heat flux are small, 2–10 W m−2, by comparison to the individual components of net radiation, each on the order of 100–300 W m−2.
Relationships between the Brewer‐Dobson circulation and the southern annular mode during austral summer in coupled chemistry‐climate model simulations
Authors: Li Feng , Newman Paul A. , Stolarski Richard S.
Published: August 2010

The Brewer‐Dobson circulation (BDC) is the mean meridional mass circulation in the stratosphere and the southern annular mode (SAM) is the prime variability pattern of the Southern Hemisphere extratropical troposphere. Motivated by previous studies showing that both the strengths of the BDC and the SAM have the largest trends in the austral summer in the recent past, this paper investigates the relationships between the BDC and the SAM using coupled chemistry‐climate model simulations. The model results show that the strengthening of the BDC in the Southern Hemisphere during November–February (NDJF) is strongly projected onto the high index of the SAM. The trends in the BDC and the SAM are driven by Antarctic ozone depletion, which increases stratosphere‐troposphere interactions through a delayed Antarctic vortex breakup. The prolonged persistence of stratospheric westerlies enhances upward propagation of tropospheric wave activity into the stratosphere and strengthens the BDC. The wave flux and westerly anomalies in the stratosphere in turn drive a SAM trend toward its high index. Model results also show that the BDC‐SAM relationship is robust on the interannual time scale.
Negligible climatic effects from the 2008 Okmok and Kasatochi volcanic eruptions
Authors: Kravitz Ben , Robock Alan , Bourassa Adam
Published: August 2010

We used a general circulation model of Earth's climate to conduct simulations of climate response to the July 12, 2008, eruption of Okmok volcano and the August 8, 2008, eruption of Kasatochi volcano, which injected a total of 1.6 Tg of SO2 into the Arctic upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (0.1 Tg from Okmok and 1.5 Tg from Kasatochi). For the climate model simulations, we placed all the SO2 into the lower stratosphere. The temporal and spatial distribution of model predictions of sulfate aerosol optical depth agrees with measurements made by the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imaging System (OSIRIS), a Canadian satellite instrument. After accounting for differences due to different wavelengths, different sampling volumes, and an overestimate of stratospheric SO2 loading in the model, the optical depths measured by OSIRIS are consistent with the modeled values. Although the shortwave radiative effects of the eruption are detectable in model output, perturbations in surface air temperature and precipitation were negligible, since the Okmok injection was quite small and the Kasatochi eruption was too late in the year for there to have been large radiative forcing in 2008 and was of insufficient magnitude for the sulfate aerosols to persist in the stratosphere into the following spring. We conducted further experiments with lower stratospheric injections of 3 and 5 Tg of SO2 into the Arctic on August 8, 2008. Although the sulfate aerosol optical depth and resulting shortwave radiative forcing increase linearly with atmospheric loading of SO2, the radiative forcing was still small due to the timing of the eruption, with little insolation by the time the sulfate aerosol cloud would form. High latitude eruptions of this size occurring in August or later in the calendar year would still be of insufficient magnitude for the sulfate aerosols to persist in the stratosphere into the following spring, and climate effects would be negligible.
Thermal history of the central Gotthard and Aar massifs, European Alps: Evidence for steady state, long‐term exhumation
Authors: Glotzbach C. , Reinecker J. , Danišík M. , Rahn M. , Frisch W. , Spiegel C.
Published: August 2010

Quantifying long‐term exhumation rates is a prerequisite for understanding the geodynamic evolution of orogens and their exogenic and endogenic driving forces. Here we reconstruct the exhumation history of the central Aar and Gotthard external crystalline massifs in the European Alps using apatite and zircon fission track and apatite (U‐Th)/He data. Age‐elevation relationships and time‐temperature paths derived from thermal history modeling are interpreted to reflect nearly constant exhumation of ∼0.5 km/Ma since ∼14 Ma. A slightly accelerated rate (∼0.7 km/Ma) occurred from 16 to 14 Ma and again from 10 to 7 Ma. Faster exhumation between 16 and 14 Ma is most likely linked to indentation of the Adriatic wedge and related thrusting along the Alpine sole thrust, which, in turn, caused uplift and exhumation in the external crystalline massifs. The data suggest nearly steady, moderate exhumation rates since ∼14 Ma, regardless of major exogenic and endogenic forces such as a change to wetter climate conditions around 5 Ma or orogen‐perpendicular extension initiated in Pliocene times. Recent uplift and denudation rates, interpreted to be the result of climate fluctuations and associated increase in erosional efficiency, are nearly twice this ∼0.5 km/Ma paleoexhumation rate.
Rayleigh wave phase velocity maps of Tibet and the surrounding regions from ambient seismic noise tomography
Authors: Yang Yingjie , Zheng Yong , Chen John , Zhou Shiyong , Celyan Savas , Sandvol Eric , Tilmann Frederik , Priestley Keith , Hearn Thomas M. , Ni James F. , Brown Larry D. , Ritzwoller Michael H.
Published: August 2010

Ambient noise tomography is applied to the significant data resources now available across Tibet and surrounding regions to produce Rayleigh wave phase speed maps at periods between 6 and 50 s. Data resources include the permanent Federation of Digital Seismographic Networks, five temporary U.S. Program for Array Seismic Studies of the Continental Lithosphere (PASSCAL) experiments in and around Tibet, and Chinese provincial networks surrounding Tibet from 2003 to 2009, totaling ∼600 stations and ∼150,000 interstation paths. With such a heterogeneous data set, data quality control is of utmost importance. We apply conservative data quality control criteria to accept between ∼5000 and ∼45,000 measurements as a function of period, which produce a lateral resolution between 100 and 200 km across most of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions to the east. Misfits to the accepted measurements among PASSCAL stations and among Chinese stations are similar, with a standard deviation of ∼1.7 s, which indicates that the final dispersion measurements from Chinese and PASSCAL stations are of similar quality. Phase velocities across the Tibetan Plateau are lower, on average, than those in the surrounding nonbasin regions. Phase velocities in northern Tibet are lower than those in southern Tibet, perhaps implying different spatial and temporal variations in the way the high elevations of the plateau are created and maintained. At short periods (<20 s), very low phase velocities are imaged in the major basins, including the Tarim, Qaidam, Junggar, and Sichuan basins, and in the Ordos Block. At intermediate and long periods (>20 s), very high velocities are imaged in the Tarim Basin, the Ordos Block, and the Sichuan Basin. These phase velocity dispersion maps provide information needed to construct a 3‐D shear velocity model of the crust across the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions.
An analytical benchmark with combined pressure and shear loading for elastoplastic numerical models
Authors: Yarushina V. M. , Dabrowski M. , Podladchikov Y. Y.
Published: August 2010

We discuss the benchmark strategy to check the accuracy of elastoplastic numerical solutions based on a fully two‐dimensional analytical solution. Associated rate‐independent non‐hardening plasticity with von Mises or Tresca criteria is assumed throughout. Algorithms for integration of the rate equations, strategies for stress updating over a time step, and tangent operators are discussed. The accuracy of a simple incremental algorithm as a function of the time step is discussed.