bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral Narrative Performance of African American Prekindergartners Who Speak Nonmainstream American English
Authors: Terry Nicole Patton , Mills Monique T. , Bingham Gary E. , Mansour Souraya , Marencin Nancy
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This study had 4 primary purposes: (a) to describe the oral narrative performance of typically developing African American prekindergarten children with commonly used macro- and microstructure measures; (b) to examine the concurrent and (c) predictive relations between narrative performance, spoken dialect use, vocabulary, and story comprehension; and (d) to explore change in narrative performance during the school year.

Method

Children provided story retells of
Frog Where Are You?
(Mayer, 1969) at the beginning (
n
= 76) and end (
n
= 146) of the school year. Retells were analyzed using the narrative assessment protocol (Pence, Justice, & Gosse, 2007), the narrative scoring scheme (Heilmann, Miller, & Nockerts, 2010; Heilmann, Miller, Nockerts, & Dunaway, 2010), high point analysis (McCabe, Bliss, Barra, & Bennett, 2008), and other common indices of narrative ability (e.g., number of different words). Children also completed spoken dialect use, oral vocabulary, and story comprehension measures.

Results

Comparisons with data reported in the literature suggest that, on average, the children in this study performed within age-appropriate expectations on each narrative measure. In general, narrative performance was correlated with and predicted by complex syntax and vocabulary skills and was not associated with spoken dialect use. Finally, the children's narrative assessment protocol and high point analysis scores changed significantly during the school year.

Conclusion

The results are useful in interpreting the performance of African American children during the prekindergarten school year.
Evidence-Based Speech-Language Pathology Practices in Schools: Findings From a National Survey
Authors: Hoffman LaVae M. , Ireland Marie , Hall-Mills Shannon , Flynn Perry
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This study documented evidence-based practice (EBP) patterns as reported by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) employed in public schools during 2010–2011.

Method

Using an online survey, practioners reported their EBP training experiences, resources available in their workplaces, and the frequency with which they engage in specific EBP activities, as well as their resource needs and future training format preferences.

Results

A total of 2,762 SLPs in 28 states participated in the online survey, 85% of whom reported holding the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology credential. Results revealed that one quarter of survey respondents had no formal training in EBP, 11% of SLPs worked in school districts with official EBP procedural guidelines, and 91% had no scheduled time to support EBP activities. The majority of SLPs posed and researched 0 to 2 EBP questions per year and read 0 to 4 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) journal articles per year on either assessment or intervention topics.

Conclusion

Use of ASHA online resources and engagement in EBP activities were documented to be low. However, results also revealed that school-based SLPs have high interest in additional training and resources to support scientifically based practices. Suggestions for enhancing EBP support in public schools and augmenting knowledge transfer are provided.
The Effects of Dual-Language Support on the Language Skills of Bilingual Children With Hearing Loss Who Use Listening Devices Relative to Their Monolingual Peers
Authors: Bunta Ferenc , Douglas Michael
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The present study investigated the effects of supporting both English and Spanish on language outcomes in bilingual children with hearing loss (HL) who used listening devices (cochlear implants and hearing aids). The English language skills of bilingual children with HL were compared to those of their monolingual English-speaking peers' with HL. The Spanish and English language skills of the bilingual participants were also compared.

Method

The language skills of 40 children with HL (20 bilingual Spanish–English-speaking and 20 monolingual English-speaking) were examined using the Auditory Comprehension, Expressive Communication, and total language scores from the Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition (Zimmerman, Steiner, & Pond, 2002a, 2002b).

Results

The English language skills of the bilingual participants were commensurate with those of their monolingual English-speaking peers on all 3 measures. The Spanish and English total language scores of the bilingual group were also comparable and highly correlated.

Conclusion

Both languages of bilingual children with HL can be supported without having adverse effects on the children's language development. Moreover, supporting both languages in bilingual children with HL may have multifarious positive ramifications.
Using Ratings to Gain Insight Into Conceptual Development
Authors: Alt Mary , Meyers Christina , Alt Paul M.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The authors explored a novel technique with potential for assessing conceptual development. Participants rated how “normal” to “really weird” an image was in order to determine whether (a) participants would rate images by amount of variation (slight/significant) from the standard image, (b) participants would treat variation related to different concepts equally, or (c) there would be developmental differences in these ratings. Then, authors asked whether children with specific language impairment (SLI) would demonstrate weaker conceptual skills based on their ratings.

Method

Adults and school-age children (with and without SLI) used a 9-point equal-appearing interval scale to rate photographic images of animals. These included standard images and images that altered the animals' shape, pattern, color, and facial morphometry.

Results

Significant differences in ratings were obtained for adults compared with typically developing children and children with SLI compared with their age-matched peers. This is in line with the expectation that adults have stronger representations than children, as do typical children compared with those with SLI. Participants differentially rated images that varied from the standard image (slight/significant) for all parameters except shape.

Conclusion

Probing conceptual representations without the need for verbal response has the potential for exploring conceptual deficits in SLI.
Comparison of Nasal Acceleration and Nasalance Across Vowels
Authors: Thorp Elias B. , Virnik Boris T. , Stepp Cara E.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of normalized nasal acceleration (NNA) relative to nasalance as estimates of nasalized versus nonnasalized vowel and sentence productions.

Method

Participants were 18 healthy speakers of American English. NNA was measured using a custom sensor, and nasalance was measured using the KayPentax Nasometer II. Speech stimuli consisted of CVC syllables with the vowels (/ɑ/, /æ/, /i/, /u/) and sentences loaded with high front, high back, low front, and low back vowels in both nasal and nonnasal contexts.

Results

NNA showed a small but significant effect of the vowel produced during syllable stimuli but no significant effect of vowel loading during sentence stimuli. Nasalance was significantly affected by the vowel being produced during both syllables and sentences with large effect sizes. Both NNA and nasalance were highly sensitive and specific to nasalization.

Conclusions

NNA was less affected by vowel than nasalance. Discrimination of nasal versus nonnasal stimuli using NNA and nasalance was comparable, suggesting potential for use of NNA for biofeedback applications. Future work to improve calibration of NNA is needed to lower intersubject variability.
Vowel Acoustics in Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis: Comparison of Clear, Loud, and Slow Speaking Conditions
Authors: Tjaden Kris , Lam Jennifer , Wilding Greg
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The impact of clear speech, increased vocal intensity, and rate reduction on acoustic characteristics of vowels was compared in speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD), speakers with multiple sclerosis (MS), and healthy controls.

Method

Speakers read sentences in habitual, clear, loud, and slow conditions. Variations in clarity, intensity, and rate were stimulated using magnitude production. Formant frequency values for peripheral and nonperipheral vowels were obtained at 20%, 50%, and 80% of vowel duration to derive static and dynamic acoustic measures. Intensity and duration measures were obtained.

Results

Rate was maximally reduced in the slow condition, and vocal intensity was maximized in the loud condition. The clear condition also yielded a reduced articulatory rate and increased intensity, although less than for the slow or loud conditions. Overall, the clear condition had the most consistent impact on vowel spectral characteristics. Spectral and temporal distinctiveness for peripheral–nonperipheral vowel pairs was largely similar across conditions.

Conclusions

Clear speech maximized peripheral and nonperipheral vowel space areas for speakers with PD and MS while also reducing rate and increasing vocal intensity. These results suggest that a speech style focused on increasing articulatory amplitude yields the most robust changes in vowel segmental articulation.
Cognitive Abilities Relate to Self-Reported Hearing Disability
Authors: Zekveld Adriana A. , George Erwin L. J. , Houtgast Tammo , Kramer Sophia E.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In this explorative study, the authors investigated the relationship between auditory and cognitive abilities and self-reported hearing disability.

Method

Thirty-two adults with mild to moderate hearing loss completed the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap (AIADH; Kramer, Kapteyn, Festen, & Tobi, 1996) and performed the Text Reception Threshold (TRT; Zekveld, George, Kramer, Goverts, & Houtgast, 2007) test as well as tests of spatial working memory (SWM) and visual sustained attention. Regression analyses examined the predictive value of age, hearing thresholds (pure-tone averages [PTAs]), speech perception in noise (speech reception thresholds in noise [SRTNs]), and the cognitive tests for the 5 AIADH factors.

Results

Besides the variance explained by age, PTA, and SRTN, cognitive abilities were related to each hearing factor. The reported difficulties with sound detection and speech perception in quiet were less severe for participants with higher age, lower PTAs, and better TRTs. Fewer sound localization and speech perception in noise problems were reported by participants with better SRTNs and smaller SWM. Fewer sound discrimination difficulties were reported by subjects with better SRTNs and TRTs and smaller SWM.

Conclusions

The results suggest a general role of the ability to read partly masked text in subjective hearing. Large working memory was associated with more reported hearing difficulties. This study shows that besides auditory variables and age, cognitive abilities are related to self-reported hearing disability.
Interface-controlled high dielectric constant Al2O3/TiOx nanolaminates with low loss and low leakage current density for new generation nanodevices
Authors: Lee Geunhee , Lai Bo-Kuai , Phatak Charudatta , Katiyar Ram S. , Auciello Orlando
Published: July 2013

We report on the fundamentals for the synthesis of Al2O3/TiOx nanolaminates (NLs) with an Al2O3 interfacial layer at the electrode/nanolaminate interface, resulting in exceptionally high dielectric constant (k > 550 up to 0.1 MHz), very low losses (tan δ ≤ 0.04 up to 10 kHz), and leakage current density (≤10−8 A/cm2 at 1.0 V). The high k is attributed to the Maxwell-Wagner relaxation between semiconducting TiOx and insulating Al2O3 nanolayers, while low losses and leakage current densities are due to blockage of charged carriers transport through the Al2O3 interfacial layer. Additionally, a high-capacitance capacitor based on the Al2O3/TiOx NL structure is demonstrated on 16 μm deep Si trenches, which can be used to enable the next generation of nanoscale energy storage and memory devices.
Linear electro-optic properties of relaxor-based ferroelectric 0.24Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-(0.76 − x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 single crystals
Authors: Wu Fengmin , Yang Bin , Sun Enwei , Liu Gang , Tian Hao , Cao Wenwu
Published: July 2013

Linear electro-optic properties of 0.24Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-(0.76 − x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 single crystals, with compositions in the rhombohedral, morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) and tetragonal phases, have been investigated. Very large effective electro-optic coefficient γc (204 pm/V) was observed in a crystal with the MPB composition when it is poled along [001]. The rhombohedral phase (x = 0.27 and 0.30) single crystals poled along [111] direction and tetragonal phase (x = 0.39) single crystal poled along [001] direction are in single domain, and their electro-optic coefficients (γc = 76, 94, and 43 pm/V for the crystals with x = 0.27, 0.30, and 0.39, respectively) were found to be much higher than that of traditional electro-optic single crystal LiNbO3 (γc = 19.9 pm/V). The electro-optic coefficients of the single crystal in the rhombohedral phase have excellent temperature stability in the experimental temperature range of 10–40 °C. The half-wave voltage Vπ was calculated to be much lower (less than 1000 V) than that of LiNbO3 single crystal (2800 V). These superior properties make the ternary relaxor-PT single crystals very promising for electro-optic modulation applications.
Effect of composition on electrical properties of lead-free Bi0.5(Na0.80K0.20)0.5TiO3-(Ba0.98Nd0.02)TiO3 piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Jaita Pharatree , Watcharapasorn Anucha , Jiansirisomboon Sukanda
Published: July 2013

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with the composition of (1−x)Bi0.5(Na0.80K0.20)0.5TiO3-x(Ba0.98Nd0.02)TiO3 or (1−x) BNKT-xBNdT (with x = 0–0.20 mol fraction) have been synthesized by a conventional mixed-oxide method. The compositional dependence of phase structure and electrical properties of the ceramics were systemically studied. The optimum sintering temperature of all BNKT-BNdT ceramics was found to be 1125 °C. X-ray diffraction pattern suggested that BNdT effectively diffused into BNKT lattice during sintering to form a solid solution with a perovskite structure. Scanning electron micrographs showed a slight reduction of grain size when BNdT was added. It was found that BNKT-0.10BNdT ceramic exhibited optimum electrical properties (εr = 1716, tanδ = 0.0701, Tc = 327 °C, and d33 = 211 pC/N), suggesting that this composition has a potential to be one of a promising lead-free piezoelectric candidate for dielectric and piezoelectric applications.
Multiferroicity in Mn-deficient Ca3CoMnO6: The consequence of Fe substitution
Authors: Lin L. , Xie Y. L. , Liu M. F. , Guo Y. J. , Yan Z. B. , Liu J.-M.
Published: July 2013

We present careful experiments on the multiferroicity in Ca3CoMn0.92O6 by Fe substitution of Mn. It is revealed that a proper Fe substitution modulates the Co/Mn spin order, favoring the ferroelectricity. The multifold interactions between the intra-chain spins and inter-chain spins are analyzed. It is suggested that the Mn deficiency and Fe substitution can break the inter-chain interactions to some extent, resulting in the delicate competition between these mutual interactions. The modulation of the ionic (charge) disorder and spin frustration order is the core physics for improving the ferroelectric performance.
Stoichiometry of LaAlO3 films grown on SrTiO3 by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Golalikhani M. , Lei Q. Y. , Chen G. , Spanier J. E. , Ghassemi H. , Johnson C. L. , Taheri M. L. , Xi X. X.
Published: July 2013

We have studied the stoichiometry of epitaxial LaAlO3 thin films on SrTiO3 substrate grown by pulsed laser deposition as a function of laser energy density and oxygen pressure during the film growth. Both x-ray diffraction (θ-2θ scan and reciprocal space mapping) and transmission electron microscopy (geometric phase analysis) revealed a change of lattice constant in the film with the distance from the substrate. Combined with composition analysis using x-ray fluorescence we found that the nominal unit-cell volume expanded when the LaAlO3 film was La-rich, but remained near the bulk value when the film was La-poor or stoichiometric. La excess was found in all the films deposited in oxygen pressures lower than 10−2 Torr. We conclude that the discussion of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfacial properties should include the effects of cation off-stoichiometry in the LaAlO3 films when the deposition is conducted under low oxygen pressures.
Magnetoelectric effect of the multi-push-pull mode in 0.35Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.35Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.30PbTiO3/Metglas magnetoelectric composite
Authors: Li Lingying , Jiao Jie , Chen Jianwei , Liu Yuting , Xu Chundong , Ren Bo , Di Wenning , Zhao Xiangyong , Luo Haosu , Jing Weiping , Shao Xiumei , Fang Jiaxiong
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a model for the multi-push-pull configuration of magnetoelectric (ME) laminated composites which consist of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers with interdigitated ID electrodes encapsulated in Kapton. Analytical solutions for the ME voltage coefficient αV and charge coefficient αQ were derived. A ME composite has been made by magnetostrictive Metglas foils and piezoelectric 0.35Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)-0.35Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)-0.30PbTiO3 single crystal fibers, which exhibited a high ME charge coefficient αQ of 3756 pC/Oe at 1020 Hz. Besides showing a good linear relationship with AC magnetic field, the related ME sensor has a low noise equivalent magnetic induction of 10 pT/Hz1/2 at 1 Hz and 13 fT/Hz1/2 at resonant frequency.
Estimation of the magnetoelectric coefficient of a piezoelectric-magnetostrictive composite via finite element analysis
Authors: Sun T. Y. , Sun L. , Yong Z. H. , Chan H. L. W. , Wang Y.
Published: July 2013

We proposed a new approach for estimating the magnetoelectric coefficient of magnetostrictive/piezoelectric composites via finite element analysis. With this method, the relationship between inputting magnetic field and outputting electric polarization for magnetoelectric composites could be directly calculated. This method offers efficient calculation and is applicable for magnetoelectric composites with any complex structures without restrictions on their connectivity and structures. As examples, the magnetoelectric coefficients of 1-3 type and 0-3 type composites were calculated and the results were found to agree well with literature data.
Fabrication, characterization, and modeling of piezoelectric fiber composites
Authors: Lin Xiujuan , Zhou Kechao , Button Tim W. , Zhang Dou
Published: July 2013

Piezoelectric fiber composites (PFCs) with interdigitated electrodes have attracted increasing interest in a variety of industrial, commercial, and aerospace markets due to their unique flexibility, adaptability, and improved transverse actuation performance. Viscous plastic processing technique was utilized for the fabrication of PFCs with customized feature sizes. The assembly parameters showed great influence on the performance of PFCs, which was verified by the finite element analysis. The cracks were identified in the fibers underneath the electrode finger after several millions cycles due to the stress and electric field concentration. The electrode finger width was an important structural parameter and showed great influence on the actuation performance and the stress distribution in the PFCs. The finite element analysis revealed that wider electrode finger would be beneficial for reducing the risk of materials failure with slight influence on the actuation performance.
Performance of a hybrid pyroelectric LiNbO3 and TiO2 nanotubes X-ray source
Authors: Alivov Yahya , Molloi Sabee
Published: July 2013

Effects of crystal length and temperature on performance and degradation properties of LiNbO3/TiO2 pyroelectric/nanotube X-ray source were studied. Such hybrid LiNbO3/TiO2 X-ray source was fabricated by bonding electrochemically grown TiO2 nanotubes on −z face of pyroelectric LiNbO3 crystal. In particular, it was found that maximum accelerated electron energy increased with height for both pure and hybrid LiNbO3/TiO2 system for both heating and cooling cycles. For example, for 2 cm long hybrid structure the resulting maximum energy during heating cycle was 97 keV as compared to 74 keV for 1 cm long structure. The maximum energy for the pure sample without nanotubes increased from 45 keV to 66 keV. Increased endpoint energy of nanotube based X-ray source is attributed to electric field amplification on nanotube tips increasing the efficiency of residual gas ionization, leading to improved charge carrier transmission efficiency. The degradation properties were studied by performing multiple thermal cycles and results revealed that cluster nanotips erode over time. After 20 cycles they become flat as was evidenced from scanning electron microscope analysis.
The quantitative determination of laser-induced molecular axis alignment
Authors: Mikosch Jochen , Bisgaard Christer Z. , Boguslavskiy Andrey E. , Wilkinson Iain , Stolow Albert
Published: July 2013

Experiments in the gas phase usually involve averaging observables over a random molecular axis alignment distribution. This deleterious averaging limits insights gained by probes of molecular dynamics, but can be overcome by prealigning molecular axes using laser-alignment methods. However, the transformation from the laboratory frame to the molecular frame of reference requires quantitative knowledge of the axis alignment distribution. The latter is often hard to obtain directly from experimental data, particularly for polyatomic molecules. Here we describe a general maximum-likelihood classification procedure for non-adiabatic numerical alignment simulations with free parameters that employs experimental data from an alignment-dependent probe. This method delivers (i) the most probable molecular frame angular dependence of the probe, and (ii) the most likely laboratory frame axis alignment distribution of the sample, each with a confidence interval. This procedure was recently used for studies of angle- and channel-resolved strong field ionization of 1,3-butadiene in the molecular frame [Mikosch et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 023004 (2013)]10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.023004, used here as an illustrative example.
Numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulations of expanding flux ropes: Influence of boundary driving
Authors: Tacke Thomas , Dreher Jürgen , Sydora Richard D.
Published: July 2013

The expansion dynamics of a magnetized, current-carrying plasma arch is studied by means of time-dependent ideal MHD simulations. Initial conditions model the setup used in recent laboratory experiments that in turn simulate coronal loops [J. Tenfelde et al., Phys. Plasmas 19, 072513 (2012); E. V. Stenson and P. M. Bellan, Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 54, 124017 (2012)]. Boundary conditions of the electric field at the “lower” boundary, intersected by the arch, are chosen such that poloidal magnetic flux is injected into the domain, either localized at the arch footpoints themselves or halfway between them. These conditions are motivated by the tangential electric field expected to exist in the laboratory experiments due to the external circuit that drives the plasma current. The boundary driving is found to systematically enhance the expansion velocity of the plasma arch. While perturbations at the arch footpoints also deform its legs and create characteristic elongated segments, a perturbation between the footpoints tends to push the entire structure upwards, retaining an ellipsoidal shape.
Reversal mode instability and magnetoresistance in perpendicular (Co/Pd)/Cu/(Co/Ni) pseudo-spin-valves
Authors: Davies J. E. , Gilbert D. A. , Mohseni S. M. , Dumas R. K. , Åkerman J. , Liu Kai
Published: July 2013

We have observed distinct temperature-dependent magnetization reversal modes in a perpendicular (Co/Pd)4/Co/Cu/(Co/Ni)4/Co pseudo-spin-valve, which are correlated with spin-transport properties. At 300 K, magnetization reversal occurs by vertically correlated domains. Below 200 K the hysteresis loop becomes bifurcated due to laterally correlated reversal of the individual stacks. The magnetic configuration change also leads to higher spin disorders and a significant increase in the giant magnetoresistance effect. First order reversal curve measurements reveal that the coupled state can be re-established through field cycling and allow direct determination of the interlayer coupling strength as a function of temperature.
Gold-silicon metamaterial with hyperbolic transition in near infrared
Authors: Lang S. , Lee H. S. , Petrov A. Yu. , Störmer M. , Ritter M. , Eich M.
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we focus on the creation and characterization of a hyperbolic metamaterial for near infrared. To shift the hyperbolic transition there, a stack of alternating 7 nm gold and 42 nm silicon layers is chosen. Samples are manufactured using magnetron sputtering and different measurements confirm their structure. We fit the Drude model of gold to reproduce measured reflectivity and transmittance by simulations. The collision frequency of the thin film gold is increased by 9 times, which shifts the transition of our metamaterial to the hyperbolic regime to even larger wavelengths. The performance is comparable to other proposed metamaterials.
Field-induced defect morphology in Ni-gate AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Holzworth M. R. , Rudawski N. G. , Whiting P. G. , Pearton S. J. , Jones K. S. , Lu L. , Kang T. S. , Ren F. , Patrick E. , Law M. E.
Published: July 2013

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors were electrically stressed using off-state high reverse gate biases. In devices demonstrating the largest, most rapid decrease in normalized maximum drain current, defects were found at the gate/AlGaN epilayer interface and characterized using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. These defects appear to be a reaction between the Ni layer of the Ni/Au gate metal stack and the AlGaN epilayer. Additionally, simulations of the electric field lines from the defective devices match the defect morphology. These results provide important insight toward understanding failure mechanisms and improving reliability of Ni-gate AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors.
Surface phase-matched harmonic enhancement in a bulk anomalous dispersion medium
Authors: Ren Huaijin , Deng Xuewei , Zheng Yuanlin , An Ning , Chen Xianfeng
Published: July 2013

Scattering second harmonic ring could be observed in a bulk nonlinear medium with anomalous dispersion, whose generation is derived from complete phase matching of the incident light and the scattering light. By this specific phase matching under anomalous dispersion condition, we took advantage of total internal reflection, and realized high efficiency second harmonic output to gain a single pass conversion efficiency of up to 14.8% by only once reflection. It may suggest potential applications in micro-structures, such as micro cavities and waveguides.
Mesoscopic hydro-thermodynamics of phonons
Authors: Vasconcellos Aurea R. , de Castro A. R. B. , Silva C. A. B. , Luzzi Roberto
Published: July 2013

A generalized Hydrodynamics, referred to as Mesoscopic Hydro-Thermodynamics, of phonons in semiconductors is presented. It involves the descriptions of the motion of the quasi-particle density and of the energy density. The hydrodynamic equations, which couple both types of movement via thermo-elastic processes, are derived starting with a generalized Peierls-Boltzmann kinetic equation obtained in the framework of a Non-Equilibrium Statistical Ensemble Formalism, providing such Mesoscopic Hydro-Thermodynamics. The case of a contraction in first order is worked out in detail. The associated Maxwell times are derived and discussed. The densities of quasi-particles and of energy are found to satisfy coupled Maxwell-Cattaneo-like (hyperbolic) equations. The analysis of thermo-elastic effects is done and applied to investigate thermal distortion in silicon mirrors under incidence of high intensity X-ray pulses in FEL facilities. The derivation of a generalized Guyer-Krumhansl equation governing the flux of heat and the associated thermal conductivity coefficient is also presented.
Heteroepitaxial Ge-on-Si by DC magnetron sputtering
Authors: Steglich Martin , Patzig Christian , Berthold Lutz , Schrempel Frank , Füchsel Kevin , Höche Thomas , Kley Ernst-Bernhard , Tünnermann Andreas
Published: July 2013

The growth of Ge on Si(100) by DC Magnetron Sputtering at various temperatures is studied by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Smooth heteroepitaxial Ge films are prepared at relatively low temperatures of 380°C. Typical Stransky-Krastanov growth is observed at 410°C. At lower temperatures (320°C), films are essentially amorphous with isolated nanocrystallites at the Si-Ge interface. A minor oxygen contamination at the interface, developing after ex-situ oxide removal, is not seen to hinder epitaxy. Compensation of dislocation-induced acceptors in Ge by sputtering from n-doped targets is proposed.
Producer-initiated field research leads to a new diagnostic test for footrot
Authors: Gaden C. A. , Cheetham B. F. , Hall E. , Green G. , Katz M. E.
Published: July 2013

The Cicerone Project was formed in 1998 to address problems faced by wool producers. In the New England area, the issue of suspected false positive diagnoses of virulent footrot, which can be a significant cause of economic loss to individual producers, was investigated. In New South Wales, footrot diagnosis is primarily a field diagnosis supported by the gelatin gel laboratory test. The principal causative agent of footrot is Dichelobacter nodosus. If the gelatin gel test finds strains of D. nodosus to be thermostable (gel stable), a finding of virulent footrot is likely and quarantine of the affected property follows. However, livestock producers and inspectors reported that there were a considerable number of cases where laboratory tests found strains to be stable but these strains did not cause virulent footrot in the field. Preliminary results using DNA markers associated with virulent footrot showed that one of these markers, intA, was absent in gel stable, field benign strains but present in all strains tested which caused field virulent footrot. A trial conducted at Uralla, New South Wales, demonstrated conclusively that there were strains of D. nodosus which were stable in the gelatin gel test but did not cause virulent footrot in the field. All of these strains were negative in the intA DNA test. These results were confirmed in a second field trial at Molong, New South Wales. These trials were instrumental in establishing that the gelatin gel test at times gave results inconsistent with the clinical expression of footrot, potentially leading to a false positive diagnosis of virulent footrot. Subsequent research led to confirmation of the intA test, which is now available as an additional tool for footrot diagnosis.
Delivering extension and adult learning outcomes from the Cicerone Project by ‘comparing, measuring, learning and adopting'
Authors: Edwards C. , Gaden C. , Marchant R. , Coventry T. , Dutton P. , Scott J. M.
Published: July 2013

The Cicerone Project was a partnership between livestock producers, researchers and extension specialists on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia that investigated several complex grazing enterprise issues between 1998 and 2006. It was conducted as a Participatory Action Research project, which first surveyed livestock producers to learn of their problems and then carried out investigations according to the Project’s chosen motto of ‘compare – measure – learn – adopt’. The Project included research into footrot diagnosis and an investigation of whole-farmlet livestock and pasture management systems complemented by a multi-faceted extension and education component, which delivered findings to a wide array of stakeholders across the Northern Tablelands and adjacent regions. This paper describes the extension and education methods and outcomes and reflects on how successful the engagement of livestock producers was through a partnership, which focussed on co-learning by all participants. Several different communication approaches were used including the production of 40 newsletters and the delivery of 61 field days. Collaborators also held two symposia, which presented comprehensive overviews of the research results. In the final year of the Project, a roadshow was held to communicate results to a wider audience in neighbouring districts. The results of the two footrot trials, which were conducted as Participatory Action Research projects, led to rapid and substantial changes in the testing regime for virulent footrot, resulting in large savings for livestock producers through more accurate detection of the disease. Other valued extension and industry outcomes were the ability to compare the biophysical and economic performance of different whole farmlets, an appreciation of the value of the whole-farm system approach, the trustworthiness of the results and the stimulation of livestock producers to think more deeply about their management systems, stocking rate and risk. The Project benefited from the research efforts of four postgraduate students and was of benefit to ~300 high school and technical college students and also some 500 university undergraduate students who undertook learning projects in conjunction with Project members and collaborators. This Special Issue of 24 journal papers represents a substantial delivery of the findings from this complex agroecosystem Project, which broke new ground in terms of securing much closer working relationships between livestock producers, scientists and extension specialists. Ultimately, this volume will allow extension of the results of the Cicerone Project to reach a wider audience than has typically been achieved through other Participatory Action Research projects.
Whole-farm management of soil nutrients drives productive grazing systems: the Cicerone farmlet experiment confirms earlier research
Authors: Guppy C. N. , Edwards C. , Blair G. J. , Scott J. M.
Published: July 2013

The Cicerone Project included a study of three 53-ha farmlets, each subjected to a different management system. The systems varied first in their input of fertilisers and sown pastures and second in their grazing management. Farmlet A undertook a high level of pasture renovation and had soil fertility targets of 60 mg/kg Colwell phosphorus (P) and 10 mg/kg KCl-40 sulfur (S), while farmlets B and C both had a low rate of pasture renovation and targets of 20 mg/kg P and 6.5 mg/kg S. In addition, both farmlets A and B adopted a flexible rotational grazing regime over the eight paddocks of each farmlet, whereas farmlet C, which had 37 paddocks, adopted intensive rotational grazing. This paper first reviews the literature relating to soil fertility research in the summer-dominant rainfall region of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It then examines whether the soil fertility targets set for the farmlets were attained and how the consequences of fertiliser management measured in this trial related to earlier research findings. Fertiliser applications, comprising both capital and maintenance rates, were based on soil test results but at times were constrained by the availability of finance. Soil tests over 5 years indicated that only nitrogen (N), P and S varied with time within the farmlets while the other indices of soil fertility remained similar. Phosphorus and S levels increased in response to fertiliser applications whereas N levels responded to increases in legume composition, which was stimulated by the higher P and S levels. Multivariate statistical analyses demonstrated that farmlet productivity was driven by P and S fertility and thus the two farmlets with lower P and S fertility (farmlets B and C) had similar but lower levels of farmlet productivity compared with farmlet A. Significant increases in several measured pasture productivity parameters were observed in response to the higher P and S fertility on farmlet A, especially when climatic conditions were favourable. The results of the Cicerone farmlet experiment confirm the findings of earlier research on the Northern Tablelands, and elsewhere in the high rainfall zone, that has demonstrated that higher soil fertility levels and pasture renovation enhance the productivity of grazing enterprises more than grazing management, without imposing significant risks to the environment.
Selection of experimental treatments, methods used and evolution of management guidelines for comparing and measuring three grazed farmlet systems
Authors: Scott J. M. , Gaden C. A. , Edwards C. , Paull D. R. , Marchant R. , Hoad J. , Sutherland H. , Coventry T. , Dutton P.
Published: July 2013

The Cicerone Project was a collaborative effort by livestock producers, researchers and extension specialists, which aimed to explore the profitability and sustainability of grazing enterprises on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. A major part of the Project was the creation of a moderate scale, unreplicated farmlet experiment. The process of selecting the farmlet treatments and the design of the experiment involved considerable negotiation over an extended period in order to achieve ‘ownership’ by all those involved. The farmlets were designed to compare a typical farmlet (B) as the control with a second farmlet (A), which received higher levels of pasture renovation and soil fertility, and a third (C), which employed intensive rotational grazing management with short graze and long rest periods. Management guidelines were developed for all soil, pasture, livestock and grazing management decisions on the three farmlets. Whole-farmlet data are presented for the pastures sown, fertiliser applied, supplement fed, the stocking rates attained and the pattern of graze and rest periods over the experimental period from July 2000 to December 2006. Over the first 4 years of the trial, pastures were renovated on 71% of farmlet A while 8% of each of farmlets B and C were renovated. The rates of fertiliser applied to the three farmlets varied according to soil test values and the different target values for soil phosphorus and sulfur. In the first year of the trial (2000–01), the annual average stocking rates on farmlets A, B and C were 9.5, 7.9 and 9.1 dry sheep eqivalents/ha, respectively, whereas by the fifth year (2005), the stocking rates were 11.2, 7.8 and 7.4 dry sheep equivalents/ha, respectively. This paper provides details of the general methods used in the farmlet trial, of relevance to a series of related papers which explore all aspects of the farmlet experiment and its findings. It also reports on the selection and definition of the farmlet treatments and describes how the guidelines evolved over the duration of the trial in response to the practical realities of conducting this complex, agroecosystem experiment.
Comparing the climate experienced during the Cicerone farmlet experiment against the climatic record
Authors: Behrendt K. , Scott J. M. , Mackay D. F. , Murison R.
Published: July 2013

Farming systems research conducted under dryland conditions is subject to the vagaries of the climate during the experimental period. Whether such an experiment experiences a representative series of climatic years must be examined in relation to the longer term climatic record. The Cicerone Project’s farmlet experiment was conducted on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, to investigate the profitability and sustainability of three different management systems: one managed under typical, moderate-input conditions (farmlet B); a second which employed a higher level of pasture inputs and soil fertility (farmlet A); and a third which focussed on the use of moderate inputs and intensive rotational grazing (farmlet C). The climate experienced during the 6.5-year experimental period was compared with the 118-year climatic record, using a biophysical simulation model of grazed systems. The model utilised the long-term daily climate data as inputs and provided outputs that allowed comparison of parameters known to affect grazed pastures. Modelled soil-available water, the number of soil moisture stress days (SMSDs) limiting pasture growth, and growth indices over the experimental period (2000–06) were compared with data over the climatic record from 1890 to 2007. SMSDs were defined as when the modelled available soil moisture to a depth of 300 mm was <17% of water-holding capacity. In addition, minimum temperatures and, in particular, the frequency of frosts, were compared with medium-term (1981–2011) temperature records. Wavelet transforms of rainfall and modelled available soil water data were used to separate profile features of these parameters from the noise components of the data. Over the experimental period, both rainfall and available soil water were more commonly significantly below than above the 95% confidence intervals of both parameters. In addition, there was an increased frequency of severe frosting during the dry winters experienced over the 6.5-year period. These dry and cold conditions were likely to have limited the responses to the pasture and grazing management treatments imposed on the three farmlets. In particular, lower than average levels of available soil water were likely to have constrained pasture production, threatened pasture persistence, and reduced the response of the pasture to available soil nutrients and, as a consequence, livestock production and economic outcomes. Ideally, dryland field experimentation should be conducted over a representative range of climatic conditions, including soil moisture conditions both drier and wetter than average. The drier than average conditions, combined with a higher than normal frequency of severe frosts, mean that the results from the Cicerone Project’s farmlet experiment need to be viewed in the context of the climate experienced over this 6.5-year period.
Mass Spectrometry Investigation of Glycosylation Aberration via De-N-Glycopeptide Analysis
Authors: Shetty Vivekananda , Philip Ramila
Published: July 2013

Proteomics research on glycan alterations has received great attention owing to their implications in disease initiation and progression. Determination of the glycoprotein expression remains one of the most challenging tasks as the glycan residues in a given glycoprotein exist in complex branched structures and differ in linkage. In view of the vital role of glycan changes in cellular processes and disease progression, there has been an increased interest in developing methodologies for the detection of these changes. A subset of proteomics methods are discussed here that demonstrate the utility of the glycan-free de-N-glycopeptide analysis for the screening of complex glycoproteome as well as discovery of glycopeptide/glycoprotein biomarkers.
Masculinity, condom use self-efficacy and abusive responses to condom negotiation: the case for HIV prevention for heterosexual African-American men
Authors: Raiford Jerris L. , Seth Puja , Braxton Nikia D. , DiClemente Ralph J.
Published: July 2013

Background
This study explored the role of masculinity and perceived condom use skills in African-American men’s abusive response to female partners’ condom requests. Methods: Eighty African-American men aged 18–29 years completed measures on sexual behaviour, responses to condom requests, condom use self-efficacy and other masculine constructs. Men also were tested for sexually transmissible infections. Results: Men’s condom use self-efficacy explained 16.5% of the variance in abusive response to condom requests, beyond demographics and masculine constructs. The full model accounted for 63% of the variance. Conclusions: Many HIV interventions with women encourage condom negotiation. Findings highlight the need to address men’s condom use skills and masculine norms.
Do measures of plant intake and digestibility from captive feeding trials align with foraging patterns of free-ranging snowshoe hares?
Authors: Ellsworth Ethan , Wirsing Aaron J. , Shipley Lisa A. , Murray Dennis L.
Published: July 2013

Context
Measures of intake and digestibility from captive feeding experiments are often used to evaluate the nutritional value of plant species to herbivores; however, there is question about how well plant-quality rankings from these trials predict foraging patterns of free-ranging animals. Studies addressing the alignment of results from feeding trials and herbivory in the field using captive and free-roaming conspecifics are needed.

Aims
Our goal was to compare the feeding patterns of snowshoe hares in captive intake and digestion trials with those of free-living conspecifics in the species’ south-western range.

Methods
We conducted in vivo intake and digestion trials using captive hares to determine quality and consumption levels of the predominant conifer species in our study system. In the field, we quantified browsing intensity and over-winter depletion patterns of these conifers. We then compared voluntary intake and nutritional quality measured in captivity to consumption in the field.

Key results
Digestible energy (DE, kJ g–1) of conifers ranged from 11.0 (Pinus contorta) to 13.8 (Pseudotsuga menziesii) among six conifers, and digestible protein (DP, g protein per 100 g feed) from 1.2 (Thuja plicata) to 2.7 (P. contorta). During digestion trials, single-species intake was correlated with the content of digestible protein (DP) and digestible energy (DE). Hares maintained energy balance when fed two single-species diets (Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii) and a mixed-species diet. Conifer species on which hares were able to maintain body mass (Pinus contorta, Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii) also tended to be the most heavily exploited by free-living hares. DP content of browse species predicted both browsing intensity and overwinter depletion of conifer species.

Conclusions
Voluntary intake and nutritional quality of browse, especially DP, successfully predicted foraging patterns of free-ranging conspecifics.

Implications
Intake and digestion trials can be a useful tool for better understanding patterns of herbivory in the field, and winter habitat quality for populations in this region is likely to be influenced by access to the most energy- and protein-rich conifers.
Validated near-atomic resolution structure of bacteriophage epsilon15 derived from cryo-EM and modeling
Authors: Baker Matthew L. , Hryc Corey F. , Zhang Qinfen , Wu Weimin , Jakana Joanita , Haase-Pettingell Cameron , Afonine Pavel V. , Adams Paul D. , King Jonathan A. , Jiang Wen , Chiu Wah
Published: July 2013

High-resolution structures of viruses have made important contributions to modern structural biology. Bacteriophages, the most diverse and abundant organisms on earth, replicate and infect all bacteria and archaea, making them excellent potential alternatives to antibiotics and therapies for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we improved upon our previous electron cryomicroscopy structure of
Salmonella
bacteriophage epsilon15, achieving a resolution sufficient to determine the tertiary structures of both gp7 and gp10 protein subunits that form the T = 7 icosahedral lattice. This study utilizes recently established best practice for near-atomic to high-resolution (3–5 Å) electron cryomicroscopy data evaluation. The resolution and reliability of the density map were cross-validated by multiple reconstructions from truly independent data sets, whereas the models of the individual protein subunits were validated adopting the best practices from X-ray crystallography. Some sidechain densities are clearly resolved and show the subunit–subunit interactions within and across the capsomeres that are required to stabilize the virus. The presence of the canonical phage and jellyroll viral protein folds, gp7 and gp10, respectively, in the same virus suggests that epsilon15 may have emerged more recently relative to other bacteriophages.