bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation on the rheology, morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) reinforced with modified short glass fibers
Authors: Rezaeian I. , Jafari S.H. , Zahedi P. , Nouri S.
Published: June 2008

This work was done with the aim to solve an important environmental issue regarding poly (ethylene terephthalate), (PET) wastes. Samples of recycled PET (r‐PET) were reinforced with 10 to 30 wt% modified short glass fibers (SGF) through a melt mixing process in an internal mixer and their performance were assessed and compared with those of commercial glass reinforced PET through investigation of their rheology, morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties. It was found that the mechanical properties of the glass reinforced r‐PET composites in most cases were comparable or even higher than those of the commercial grades. The impact strength of the 30 wt% SGF filled r‐PET composite was about 30% higher than the commercial grades. This led to a conclusion that the PET wastes can be successfully converted to easily moldable thermoplastic materials by incorporation of 30 wt% SGF having a good balance of properties. Through investigation of rheological and morphological properties the optimum conditions for the best reinforcement performance were determined. The r‐PET with 30 wt% glass fiber content showed the highest level of orientation and improved interaction with the r‐PET matrix while having an acceptable flow behavior and processability. In spite of significant fiber breakage during the melt mixing process, leading to about 20 times reduction in the fiber aspect ratio, the composites maintained their good mechanical properties and showed a shear thinning behavior at high shear rates. The incorporated glass fibers acted as nucleating agents and improved the crystallization rate of r‐PET leading to an overall increase in the crystallinity. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation, characterization, and properties of TiO2/PLA nanocomposites by in situ polymerization
Authors: Zhuang Wei , Liu Jing , Zhang Jian Hua , Hu Bai Xing , Shen Jian
Published: June 2008

In situ polymerization method was used to prepare TiO2/polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites with different contents of TiO2 in this work. The size of the organically modified TiO2 particles was investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that nano‐TiO2 particles disperse in the PLA evenly when the content of TiO2 is low (less than 3 wt%). The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and tensile test were used to study the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites. Results show that both the thermal and mechanical properties are markedly improved when the content of TiO2 is 3 wt%. UV light irradiation and solution degradation experiment show that degradation of the composites is higher when the content of TiO2 increases and due to the introduction of TiO2 particles in the nanocomposites, the TiO2/PLA nanocomposites exhibit remarkable bacteriostasic activity. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
A Comparison of the ancient use of ginseng in traditional Chinese medicine with modern pharmacological experiments and clinical trials
Authors: Xiang Yao‐Zu , Shang Hong‐Cai , Gao Xiu‐Mei , Zhang Bo‐Li
Published: June 2008

Panax ginsengC.A. Meyer is a well‐known medicinal herb native to China and Korea, and has been used as a herbal remedy in eastern Asia for thousands of years. However, there is different evidence of ginseng efficacy between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), modern pharmacological experiments and clinical trials. In TCM, ginseng is a highly valued herb and has been applied to a variety of pathological conditions and illnesses such as hypodynamia, anorexia, shortness of breath, palpitation, insomnia, impotence, hemorrhage and diabetes. Modern pharmacological experiments have proved that ginseng possesses multiple constituents (ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, polyacetylenic alcohols, etc.) and actions (central nervous system effects, neuroprotective effect, immunomodulation, anticancer, etc.), ginsenosides as the active ingredients, especially, having antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic and immunostimulant properties. Recently, ginseng has been studied in a number of randomized controlled trials investigating its effect mainly on physical and psychomotor performance, cognitive function, immunomodulation, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life, as well as adverse effects. Equivocal results have been demonstrated for many of these indications. Because of the poor quality of most clinical trials on ginseng, reliable clinical data in humans are still lacking. Therefore, a broader understanding of medical knowledge and reasoning on ginseng is necessary. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Iranian herbal‐marine medicine, MS14, ameliorates experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
Authors: Tafreshi Azita Parvaneh , Ahmadi Amrollah , Ghaffarpur Majid , Mostafavi Hossein , Rezaeizadeh Hossein , Minaie Bagher , Faghihzadeh Soghrat , Naseri Mohsen
Published: June 2008

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which mainly affects young adults. To overcome wide spectrum troublesome symptoms of multiple sclerosis which affects the quality of life both in patients and their families, new drugs and remedies have been examined and offered. The preclinical beneficial effects of different medicines have mostly been examined in an animal model of multiple sclerosis called experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study we have tested a traditionally used natural (herbal‐marine) product called MS14 in EAE mice. EAE mice were fed with MS14 containing diet (30%) on the immunization day and monitored for 20 days. The results show that while clinical scores and therefore severity of the disease was progressive in normal‐fed EAE mice, the disease was slowed down in MS14‐fed EAE mice. Moreover, while there were moderate to severe neuropathological changes in normal fed mice, milder changes were seen in MS14 fed mice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antitumor activity of extracts and compounds from the rhizomes of Veratrum dahuricum
Authors: Tang Jian , Li Hui‐Liang , Shen Yun‐Heng , Jin Hui‐Zi , Yan Shi‐Kai , Liu Run‐Hui , Zhang Wei‐Dong
Published: June 2008

The antitumor activity of six extracts (ethanol extract, petroleum ether fraction, CHCl3 fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, n‐butanol fraction and total alkaloids) from the rhizomes of Veratrum dahuricum, and six compounds (veratramine (1), jervine (2), germine (3), veramitaline (4), veratrosine (5) and cyclopamine (6)) from the ethanol extract were investigated in vitro. The 12 samples exhibited cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines A549, PANC‐1, SW1990 and NCI‐H249. Among these samples, CHCl3 fraction, the total alkaloids, compounds 1 and 6 showed higher inhibitory activity, compound 3 selectively exhibited significant cytotoxicity to SW1990 and NCI‐H249. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Cardioprotective effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A on diabetic cardiac insufficiency attributed to up‐regulation of the expression of intracellular calcium handling proteins of sarcoplasmic reticulum in rats
Authors: He Haibo , Liu Qiuju , Shi Mengqiong , Zeng Xiaowei , Yang Jun , Wu Limao , Li Lianda
Published: June 2008

The following article from Phytotherapy Research, 'Comparison of Therapeutic Effects of Different Compositions of Muskone in the Treatment of Experimental Myocardial Infarct in Rats and Analgesia in Mice' by Li Y., Zhang J., Li L. published online on 27 August 2008 in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com), and in print in September 2008 (Volume 22, Issue no 9, pages 1219‐1223, DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2444) has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Elizabeth Williamson and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to overlap with the following articles: Ma K., Zhang J., Li Y., Zhang Y., Wu L., Li X., Pan L., Li L. Study on comparative pharmacology of series of Muskone. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 2006, 31 (16):1353‐1357 (in Chinese language)and Zhang J., Li Y., Li L. Effects of Series of Muskon on Apoptosis of Cardiac Muscle Cells and Apoptosis‐related Gene Expression in Rats with Acute Myocardial Infarction. Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine, 2008, 30 (10): 1528‐1530 (in the chinese language). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extract of black tea (pu‐ehr) inhibits postprandial rise in serum cholesterol in mice, and with long term use reduces serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels and renal fat weight in rats
Authors: Fujita Hiroyuki , Yamagami Tomohide
Published: June 2008

A water‐soluble extract of a traditional Chinese fermented black tea, pu‐ehr, decomposes bile acid cholesterol micelles. This black tea extract (BTE) was studied to see if it could decrease the postprandial elevation of blood cholesterol levels after a single administration in ddY mice. It was found that BTE (0.3 g/kg) significantly decreased the postprandial rise in blood cholesterol levels after oral administration of cholesterol (130 mg/kg). A non‐fermented tea (i.e. green tea) extract did not prevent the postprandial increase in blood cholesterol. In a subsequent study, 5‐week‐old Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were fed BTE for 3 weeks, following which a dose‐dependent and significant decrease in serum total cholesterol levels (1.36 mmol/L, 0.1% BTE,p< 0.05) was found and also in renal fat weight (0.3% BTE,p< 0.05). LDL cholesterol levels (0.51 mmol/L, 0.1% BTE,p< 0.05) were also significantly decreased. There were no significant changes in the weights of other organs or in the serum levels of other clinical markers. Thus, BTE has a specific antihypercholesterol effect in rodents, which might potentially aid in the management of hyperlipidaemia in man. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chain length effects on nonlinear excitation transitions in trans‐polyacetylene
Authors: de Oliveira Neto Pedro Henrique , da Cunha Wiliam Ferreira , Gargano Ricardo , e Silva Geraldo Magela
Published: June 2008

We investigate the nonlinear excitation transitions in a trans‐polyacetylene chain. The Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model was used. The chain length was successively changed so that this modification effects could be explored. The system is composed of a polyacetylene chain initially with a charged polaron. An electron ionization is then simulated and the formation of a couple of solitons took place. It was observed that the chain length influences the spectra, raising concerns about the proper chain length to simulate very long chains. Different boundary conditions were also investigated, and as a result we found that steady chain edges are more appropriate to model long chains, when transitions take place. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Time‐dependent DFT‐PCM investigation of the photophysics of ESIPT‐exhibiting benzazole dyes
Authors: Iglesias Rodrigo Sebastian , Campo Leandra Franciscato , Rodembusch Fabiano Severo , Stefani Valter
Published: June 2008

The electronic spectra (absorption and fluorescence) of a series of benzazole dyes substituted with a diallylamino group have been investigated employing the time‐dependent density functional formalism (TDDFT) including solvent effects by coupling with a continuum solvation model (PCM). UV‐Vis and steady‐state fluorescence in solution were applied in order to characterize its photophysical behavior. The benzazoles are fluorescent in the blue‐red region under UV radiation and presented the largest Stokes shift reported until now for this class of compounds (180–214 nm). The calculated values are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Nanostructures in silicon investigated by atomic force microscopy and surface photovoltage spectroscopy
Authors: Cavallini A. , Cavalcoli D.
Published: June 2008

Surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and conductive atomic force microscopy (C‐AFM) have been used for the characterization of nanocrystalline hydrogenated Si (nc‐Si:H). This is a promising material both for silicon‐based opto‐electronics as well as for photovoltaic applications. Notwithstanding its interesting properties many issues regarding the material electronic and optical properties are not completely understood. The present contribution reports microscopic and spectroscopic analyses of nc‐Si:H films grown for photovoltaic applications by low‐energy plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique. Electronic levels associated with defect states were investigated by SPS, whereas the conduction mechanism at a microscopic level was investigated by C‐AFM. SCANNING 30: 358–363, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antenatal diagnosis of anophthalmia by three‐dimensional ultrasound: a novel application of the reverse face view
Authors: Wong H. S. , Parker S. , Tait J. , Pringle K. C.
Published: June 2008

The prenatal diagnosis of anophthalmia can be made on the demonstration of absent eye globe and lens on the affected side(s) on two‐dimensional ultrasound examination, but when the fetal head position is unfavorable three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound may reveal additional diagnostic sonographic features, including sunken eyelids and small or hypoplastic orbit on the affected side(s). We present two cases of isolated anophthalmia diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound examination in which 3D ultrasound provided additional diagnostic information. The reverse face view provides valuable information about the orbits and the eyeballs for prenatal diagnosis and assessment of anophthalmia. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In praise of arrays
Authors: Ying Lihua , Sarwal Minnie
Published: June 2008

Microarray technologies have both fascinated and frustrated the transplant community since their introduction roughly a decade ago. Fascination arose from the possibility offered by the technology to gain a profound insight into the cellular response to immunogenic injury and the potential that this genomic signature would be indicative of the biological mechanism by which that stress was induced. Frustrations have arisen primarily from technical factors such as data variance, the requirement for the application of advanced statistical and mathematical analyses, and difficulties associated with actually recognizing signature gene-expression patterns and discerning mechanisms. To aid the understanding of this powerful tool, its versatility, and how it is dramatically changing the molecular approach to biomedical and clinical research, this teaching review describes the technology and its applications, as well as the limitations and evolution of microarrays, in the field of organ transplantation. Finally, it calls upon the attention of the transplant community to integrate into multidisciplinary teams, to take advantage of this technology and its expanding applications in unraveling the complex injury circuits that currently limit transplant survival.
Organic Additives and Electrolytes as Cloud Point Modifiers in Octylphenol Ethoxylate Solutions
Authors: Mahajan Rakesh Kumar , Vohra Kulwinder Kumar , Kaur Navjot , Aswal Vinod Kumar
Published: June 2008

Cloud point measurements of nonionic surfactant Triton X‐100, an octylphenol ethoxylate, were carried out in the absence and presence of various organic additives such as n‐alkanols (methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol), glycols (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol), glycol ethers (ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGMBE)) and electrolytes (LiCl, KCl, NaF, NaCl, NaBr, NaI, MgCl2 and AlCl3). The combined effect of these organic additives and electrolytes on cloud point (CP) measurement was also investigated. The effect of nature of cation, anion and valency of cation on CP is also reported. Among the n‐alkanols and glycol ethers as additives, n‐butanol and EGMBE were found to decrease the CP while all other additives increase the cloud point. The addition of electrolytes (LiCl, NaCl and KCl) to the solution of Triton X‐100 (TX‐100) decreases the CP but the rate of decrease in CP with concentration does not follow the lyotropic series of effect. Sodium halides (except NaI) also decrease the CP and the rate of decrease follows the lyotropic series of effect even in the presence of organic additives. NaI is a water structure breaker, hence it increases the cloud point. Further, cations of increasing valency lessen the depression in CP of TX‐100 with the rate of decrease in CP following the order Na+ > Mg2+ > Al3+ even in the presence of organic additives.
Enhancing effects of diethyldithiocarbamate on increase of sodium channel by sulfur dioxide derivatives in ventricular myocytes
Authors: Wei Haiying , Meng Ziqiang
Published: June 2008

The enhancing effects of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) on increase of sodium channel by sulfur dioxide derivatives in ventricular myocytes were studied using the whole cell patch‐clamp technique to probe the mechanism of SO2on the cardiovascular system in this study. Firstly, the effects of DDC and/or sulfur dioxide (SO2) derivatives on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied. The results showed that DDC decreased SOD activities significantly and SO2derivatives had no significant effect on SOD activities; however, DDC and SO2derivatives combined led to a significant decrease of SOD activities. In the electrophysiological test, DDC (1–100 mM) increased sodium current (INa) in a concentration‐dependent manner and the concentration for half‐maximum increase (EC50) was 20 mM. Addition of 20 mM DDC to the SO2derivatives‐containing medium significantly shifted the voltage‐dependent activation curve ofINatoward the hyperpolarizing direction (Vhare −51 mV, −53 mV and −54 mV, respectively) and shifted the steady‐state inactivation curve to more positive potentials (Vhare −74 mV, −71 mV and −65 mV, respectively) compared with the control and 10 μM SO2derivatives exposure. These results indicated that DDC could enhance the increasing effects on Na+channels induced by SO2derivatives, and suggested that the toxicity of SO2on ventricular myocytes of rats was realized by free radical, especially O2−.
Dynamic emotion concepts of L2 learners and L2 users: A Second Language Acquisition perspective
Authors: DEWAELE JEAN-MARC
Published: June 2008

Pavlenko's keynote paper calls for a rethinking of models of the mental lexicon in the light of recent research into emotion and bilingualism. The author makes a convincing case for the inclusion of affective aspects in the study of the mental lexicon. Indeed, the knowledge of the degree of emotionality of a word and of its affective valence is just as important as the knowledge of that word's grammatical class, or its gender. From a pragmatic point of view, one could argue that an L2 user's inaccurate or incomplete understanding of the emotionality and valence of an emotion word, or an emotion-laden word, in the L2 might lead to unwanted illocutionary effects, which might be far more embarrassing than phonological, morphological or syntactical errors.
Emotions in the cross-fire: Structuralist vs. post-structuralist stances in bilingualism research
Authors: KRAMSCH CLAIRE
Published: June 2008

What Aneta Pavlenko discusses in this fascinating article is so widely researched, so cogently conceptualized and so richly reflected upon, that one feels like a spoilsport to bring up a debate which the author herself claims to have avoided, namely the “universalist/relativist debate about basic emotions”. If I do so in this Commentary, it is not to invalidate the large body of work in cross-cultural psychology and cross-cultural semantics that Pavlenko refers to, nor to put into question the wealth of data she and Jean-Marc Dewaele have collected through their international webquestionnaire, but to bring to the fore the dilemma in which any bilingual researcher of bilingualism finds herself.
Bilingual effects are not unique, only more salient
Authors: PARADIS MICHEL
Published: June 2008

I am in full agreement with Aneta Pavlenko's analysis of the data and her line of reasoning about emotion words and emotion concepts, but not with her claim that the findings are unique to the study of bilingualism, and that differential language emotionality is uniquely visible in bi- and multilingual speakers. I will argue that (i) emotion words and concepts behave like other aspects of bilingualism, exhibit the same kinds of phenomena, and are susceptible to the same types of interference; (ii) the phenomena observed about emotion words and emotion concepts are not unique to bilinguals but merely more salient; and (iii) what applies in any conceptual domain applies within the emotion domain as well, in both unilinguals' and bilinguals' conceptual systems.
Bi- and multilingualism as a metaphor for research
Authors: PAVLENKO ANETA
Published: June 2008

I would like to begin by thanking the editors of the journal, and in particular Carmen Silva-Corvalán, for inviting such a wonderful group of commentators, united in their commitment to spirited yet courteous academic debate and diverse in their academic allegiances, theories, and methodologies. I also thank the commentators for the kindness and generosity of their comments, which offered rich material for reflection. Reading the comments for the first time, I became concerned that a coherent response that addresses the Emotion Stroop Effect in the same breath as the textual explorations of the “third space” may be all but impossible. I thought about the resemblance between the academic enterprise and the phenomenon of bi- and multilingualism, with academic paradigms establishing their own regimes of truth and creating languages that are often mutually incomprehensible. For some, true answers can only come from quantifiable empirical data, others look for veracity in texts and personal testimonies. Some take for granted that “monolingual controls” are a necessary component of solid research on bilingualism, while others doubt the meaningfulness of such a comparison, reminding us that languages are artificial constructions (Makoni and Pennycook, 2007) and questioning the very existence of crosslinguistic influence (Hall, Cheng and Carlson, 2006). And so we proceed with our parallel lines of research inspired by similar questions about the human condition and yet carried out in ways so distinct as to be incompatible.
THE CLOSING OF THE MIND: HOW THE PARTICULAR QUANTIFIER BECAME EXISTENTIALLY LOADED BEHIND OUR BACKS
Authors: PRIEST GRAHAM
Published: June 2008

The paper argues that the view that the particular quantifier is ‘existentially loaded’ is a relatively new one historically and that it has become entrenched in modern philosophical logic for less than happy reasons.
HOW APPLIED MATHEMATICS BECAME PURE
Authors: MADDY PENELOPE
Published: June 2008

This paper traces the evolution of thinking on how mathematics relates to the world—from the ancients, through the beginnings of mathematized science in Galileo and Newton, to the rise of pure mathematics in the nineteenth century. The goal is to better understand the role of mathematics in contemporary science.
TRUTH-FUNCTIONALITY
Authors: SCHNIEDER BENJAMIN
Published: June 2008

It is shown that the standard definitions of truth-functionality, though useful for their purposes, ignore some aspects of the usual informal characterisations of truth-functionality. An alternative definition is given that results in a stronger notion that pays attention to those aspects.
Unraveling middle‐crust conductive layers in Paleozoic Orogens through 3D modeling of magnetotelluric data: The Ossa‐Morena Zone case study (SW Iberian Variscides)
Authors: Muñoz Gerard , Mateus Antonio , Pous Jaume , Heise Wiebke , Monteiro Santos Fernando , Almeida Eugenio
Published: June 2008

In recent years a number of magnetotelluric (MT) surveys have been carried out in the southern branch of the Iberian Variscan Massif, namely in the Ossa Morena Zone (OMZ) and its neighboring areas, the South Portuguese Zone (SPZ) and the Central Iberian Zone (CIZ), in order to determine the geoelectrical structure of this transpressive orogen and gain insight into its internal architecture. New MT data collected across the OMZ complete a dense database that covers the whole belt and its boundaries. This paper presents an integrative three‐dimensional model of the available MT data from the apparent resistivities (four components), impedance phases and geomagnetic transfer functions from 61 stations. Given the location of the study area, near the Atlantic Ocean, coast effect on the data was analyzed as well as the stability of the mesh due to the strong resistivity contrasts. A mesh of 80 × 77 × 76 cells was finally used, with an average cell size of 4 × 4 km in the horizontal direction, and increasing thickness in the vertical direction from 25 m in the shallower layers to 5 km in the deepest ones. The most striking feature is, in addition to the conductive anomalies associated with the sutures between the SPZ‐OMZ and the OMZ‐CIZ, a conductive layer which spans the whole Ossa Morena middle to lower crust. The top of this conductive layer is interpreted as a major décollement between the granulitic basement and the overlying meta‐sedimentary pile.
Tsunami forecasting using proper orthogonal decomposition method
Authors: My Ha Dao , Tkalich Pavel , Chan Eng Soon
Published: June 2008

Tsunami early warning requires a quick and accurate prediction of the occurrence, arrival time and characteristics of the tsunami waves. The solution of a full set of governing partial differential equations can provide a sufficiently accurate prediction, but it is often computationally intensive and time consuming at high spatial resolution. This paper proposes a new data‐driven/reduced‐order approach for quick and accurate predictions of tsunami wave propagation and incident wave characteristics. The Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) technique is used for the reduced‐order model, with the basis functions determined from an ensemble of offline high‐resolution simulations. A nonlinear shallow water model TUNAMI‐N2 is utilized to compute the most sensible tsunami scenarios represented by a pair of spatially distributed scalars: the maximum wave amplitude and the arrival time. Initial conditions (sea surface displacement) for the computations are defined by instantaneous movement of sea bottom discrete fault segments characterizing the tsunamigenic earthquakes in a given domain. Tests using hypothetical earthquake‐generated tsunamis show that the POD methodology can provide very accurate results for scenarios generated with linear and nonlinear models, and is able to predict the maximum tsunami amplitude and traveltime over the entire computational domain within a few seconds. The presented method can be used in operational tsunami warning systems.
Seasonal cycle of C16O16O, C16O17O, and C16O18O in the middle atmosphere: Implications for mesospheric dynamics and biogeochemical sources and sinks of CO2
Authors: Liang Mao‐Chang , Blake Geoffrey A. , Yung Yuk L.
Published: June 2008

The isotopic anomaly of oxygen in atmospheric CO2 is caused by exchange reactions with isotopically anomalous O(1D) in the middle atmosphere. In the stratosphere, the major source of O(1D) is O3 photolysis; O3 is known to possess mass‐independent isotopic composition, with δ49O3 ≈ δ50O3 ≈ 100‰ relative to atmospheric O2. Higher in the mesosphere, Lyman α‐driven photodissociation of O2 provides a more important source of heavy O(1D) than O3 photolysis. Here we present a two‐dimensional simulation of the isotopic composition of CO2 from the surface to an altitude of ∼130 km that adequately reproduce the observed seasonal cycle of CO2 in the upper troposphere and the age of air in the stratosphere. Our model results suggest that stratospheric‐tropospheric exchange not only modifies the level of heavy CO2 in the troposphere, but also influences its seasonal cycle. Thus the isotopic composition of CO2 in the troposphere/biosphere could be affected by the downwelling air from the stratosphere. The predicted size of the effect is detectable by current instrumentation. Implications for the use of the isotopic composition of CO2 to constrain the gross carbon flux between the atmosphere and terrestrial biosphere and the dynamics in the remote mesosphere are discussed.
Calculation of probability density functions for temperature and precipitation change under global warming
Authors: Watterson I. G.
Published: June 2008

There remains uncertainty in the projected climate change over the 21st century, in part because of the range of responses to rising greenhouse gas concentrations in current global climate models (GCMs). The representation of potential changes in the form of a probability density function (PDF) is increasingly sought for applications. This article presents a method of estimating PDFs for projections based on the “pattern scaling” technique, which separates the uncertainty in the global mean warming from that in the standardized regional change. A mathematical framework for the problem is developed, which includes a joint probability distribution for the product of these two factors. Several simple approaches are considered for representing the factors by PDFs using GCM results, allowing model weighting. The four‐parameter beta distribution is found to provide a smooth PDF that can match the mean and range of GCM results, allowing skewness when appropriate. A beta representation of the range in global warming consistent with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report is presented. The method is applied to changes in Australian temperature and precipitation, under the A1B scenario of concentrations, using results from 23 GCMs in the CMIP3 database. Statistical results, including percentiles and threshold exceedences, are compared for the case of southern Australian temperature change in summer. For the precipitation example, central Australian winter rainfall, the usual linear scaling assumption produces a net change PDF that extends to unphysically large decreases. This is avoided by assuming an exponential relationship between percentage decreases in rainfall and warming.
Abrupt changes in the water balance of tropical West Africa during the late Quaternary
Authors: Shanahan Timothy M. , Overpeck Jonathan T. , Scholz Christopher A. , Beck J. Warren , Peck John , King John W.
Published: June 2008

Understanding the causes of tropical climate variability requires an understanding of not only the temporal patterns of these changes, but their spatial extent and magnitude. In this study, we employ a water balance modeling approach to simulate the magnitude of hydrologic changes associated with the geologic record of past lake stands at Lake Bosumtwi, West Africa. Our results indicate that lake level lowering during the late glacial (16 ka) was likely the result of a ∼20% decrease in precipitation, consistent with general circulation modeling (GCM) results and existing paleohydrological estimates in Africa. In contrast, our observation‐based estimate of hydrologic change during the early Holocene (∼5–10 ka) is at odds with the magnitude and direction of hydrologic changes predicted by GCM results, suggesting that the models may not adequately reproduce the processes associated with large‐scale changes in the West African monsoon. Our results for drought events at 12 and 8.7 ka are also inconsistent with GCM predictions of a precipitation dipole over West Africa, but depend strongly on assumptions about other hydrologic parameters such as relative humidity and temperature. Our water balance model also indicates that significant hydrologic changes occurred in response to changes in orbital forcing at ∼70–80 ka, possibly associated with an eccentricity‐driven shift in precession. Drought conditions also occurred during the same time as the European “Little Ice Age,” indicating a connection between relatively minor Northern Hemisphere cooling and drought conditions in Africa. These results suggest that the West African monsoon has the potential to respond in a highly nonlinear way to forcing involving changes in the solar radiation over Africa.
A compensation-defect model for the joint probability density function of the scalar difference and the length scale of dissipation elements
Authors: Wang Lipo , Peters Norbert
Published: June 2008

Dissipation element analysis is a new approach to study turbulent scalar fields. Gradient trajectories starting from each material point in a fluctuating scalar field ϕ′(x⃗,t) in ascending and descending directions will inevitably reach a maximal and a minimal point. The ensemble of material points sharing the same pair ending points is named a dissipation element. Dissipation elements can be parametrized by the length scale l and the scalar difference Δϕ′, which are defined as the straight line connecting the two extremal points and the scalar difference at these points, respectively. The decomposition of a turbulent field into dissipation elements is space filling. This allows us to reconstruct certain statistical quantities of fine scale turbulence which cannot be obtained otherwise. The marginal probability density function (PDF) of the length scale distribution had been modeled in the previous work based on a Poisson random cutting-reconnection process and had been compared to data from direct numerical simulation (DNS). The joint PDF of l and Δϕ′ contains the important information that is needed for the modeling of scalar mixing in turbulence, such as the marginal PDF of the length of elements and conditional moments, as well as their scaling exponents. In order to be able to predict these quantities, there is a need to model the joint PDF. A compensation-defect model is put forward in this work and the agreement between the model prediction and DNS results is satisfactory.
Parametric effects of bubble-microcantilever impacts in a confined channel
Authors: Stegmeir Matthew , Longmire Ellen , Mantell Susan
Published: June 2008

In this study, we have investigated the impact of bubbles with microcantilever obstacles in a confined channel. Static cantilevers of thickness 100μm were considered. Cantilevers were mounted perpendicular to the mean flow in a vertically oriented channel with width of 2mm, span of 10mm, and length of 585mm. Steady, fully developed upward flows with channel Reynolds numbers based on mean fluid velocity and hydraulic diameter of 800–2400 were considered. Bubbles of diameter of 400–2000μm were introduced upstream of the test section, and impacts were observed by using a microscope equipped with a high frame rate camera. Observations were made in planes normal to the length of cantilevers backlit by using white light. Liquid density (ρ), interfacial surface tension (σ), bubble velocity immediately prior to impact (Ububble), bubble diameter (D), obstacle thickness (t), impact offset distance (d), channel width (w), and beam location are all potential influences on the result of bubble-beam impacts. Five dimensionless combinations of these quantities: Weber number (We=ρUbubble2D∕σ), impact offset (B=2d∕D where d is the impact offset distance), bubble diameter relative to beam thickness (D∕t), bubble diameter relative to channel width (D∕w), and beam offset from channel centerline relative to channel size (O=offset∕w, where offset is the distance the beam is displaced from the channel centerline), were considered in the following ranges: 0≤We≤12, 8≤D∕t≤90, B≤1, D∕w≤1, and 0≤O≤0.1. Multiple types of interactions ranging from bouncing with little deformation to wrapping with substantial deformation to splitting into two were observed. Splitting required a minimum Weber number to occur, which was observed to be independent of D∕t for all cases considered. Impact offset B and D∕w combined to affect impact outcome. For D∕w≤0.6, the Weber number required for splitting was observed to increase with offset B. As bubble diameter D approached the channel width w (0.6≤D∕w≤0.75) under laminar flow conditions, channel gradient effects could generate a substantial lift force toward the center of the channel for bubbles approaching offset from the channel centerline. This lift force caused bubbles to cross from one side of the beam to the other; this type of interaction increased the likelihood of splitting and resulted in a number of low-We, high B splitting cases. Bubble impacts with channel walls reduced this phenomenon for D∕w≥0.75.
Multi-Hamiltonian structures for r-matrix systems
Authors: Harnad John , Hurtubise Jacques
Published: June 2008

For the rational, elliptic, and trigonometric r-matrices, we exhibit the links between three “levels” of Poisson spaces: (a) some finite-dimensional spaces of matrix-valued meromorphic functions on the complex line, (b) spaces of spectral curves and sheaves supported on them, and (c) symmetric products of a surface. We have, at each level, a linear space of compatible Poisson structures, and the maps relating the levels are Poisson. This leads in a natural way to the Nijenhuis coordinates for these spaces. At level (b), there are Hamiltonian systems on these spaces which are integrable for each Poisson structure in the family and which are such that the Lagrangian leaves are the intersections of the symplectic leaves over the Poisson structures in the family. Specific examples include many of the well-known integrable systems.
Derivatives of any order of the confluent hypergeometric function F11(a,b,z) with respect to the parameter a or b
Authors: Ancarani L. U. , Gasaneo G.
Published: June 2008

The derivatives to any order of the confluent hypergeometric (Kummer) function F=F11(a,b,z) with respect to the parameter a or b are investigated and expressed in terms of generalizations of multivariable Kampé de Fériet functions. Various properties (reduction formulas, recurrence relations, particular cases, and series and integral representations) of the defined hypergeometric functions are given. Finally, an application to the two-body Coulomb problem is presented: the derivatives of F with respect to a are used to write the scattering wave function as a power series of the Sommerfeld parameter.
Contact effects and extraction of intrinsic parameters in poly(3-alkylthiophene) thin film field-effect transistors
Authors: Deen M. Jamal , Kazemeini Mehdi H. , Holdcroft S.
Published: June 2008

We report on contact effects in polymeric thin film transistors based on poly(3-octylthiophene) and poly(3-hexadecylthiophene) with gold contact electrodes and in the bottom contact configuration. A method to extract the intrinsic channel mobility from the measured extrinsic mobility over a broad range of gate voltage is presented. This method uses the I-V characteristics of the transistor in its reverse mode operation. The results show that the intrinsic mobility in the channel is gate voltage dependent and increases almost linearly with voltages at biases above the threshold voltage. By applying a model based on the theory of space-charge-limited conduction, the dependence of the threshold voltage on the contacts and the shifts observed in this parameter with different polymer film thicknesses are explained. We also apply this model to explain the effects of light in reducing the contact effects and changing the device parameters from extrinsic in the dark to intrinsic under illumination.
Optical detection of magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance study of the oxygen vacancy and lead donors in ZnO
Authors: Laiho R. , Vlasenko L. S. , Vlasenko M. P.
Published: June 2008

Optical detection of magnetic resonance (ODMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra are investigated in ZnO single crystals. The strong negative ODMR line with axial symmetry of the g-tensor around the c axis with g∥=2.0133±0.0001 and g⊥=2.0135±0.0001 is ascribed to Pb3+ ions. The strongest Pb3+ ODMR spectrum is observed under excitation with visible light from an Ar+ ion laser and below 40Hz of on/off microwave power modulation. The negative Pb3+ line, accompanied with effective mass (EM) donors over the spectral range of the photoluminescence (PL), shows spin dependent transfer of electrons from EM donors to Pb3+, competing with PL. The intensity of the Pb3+ EPR line as well as the EPR line of oxygen vacancy (VO+) investigated in samples irradiated with 2.5MeV electrons show a fast increase when the light is switched on and gradual decrease during illumination. The dependence of the growth and decay kinetics of the Pb3+ and VO+ EPR spectra on wavelength of light is analyzed by taking into account the double donor nature of the investigated centers and their energy level positions within the energy gap of ZnO.
Rapid thermal and swift heavy ion induced annealing of Co ion implanted GaN films
Authors: Baranwal V. , Pandey A. C. , Gerlach J. W. , Rauschenbach B. , Karl H. , Kanjilal D. , Avasthi D. K.
Published: June 2008

Thin epitaxial GaN films grown on 6H-SiC(0001) substrates were implanted with 180keV Co ions at three different fluences. As-implanted samples were characterized with secondary ion mass spectrometry and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry to obtain the Co depth profiles and the maximum Co concentrations. As-implanted samples were annealed applying two different techniques: rapid thermal annealing and annealing by swift heavy ion irradiation. Rapid thermal annealing was done at two temperatures: 1150°C for 20s and 700°C for 5min. 200MeV Ag ions at two fluences were used for annealing by irradiation. Crystalline structure of the pristine, as-implanted, and annealed samples was investigated using x-ray diffraction, and the results were compared. Improvement of the crystalline quality was observed for rapid thermal annealed samples at the higher annealing temperature as confirmed with rocking curve measurements. The results indicate the presence of Co clusters in these annealed samples. Swift heavy ion irradiation with the parameters chosen for this study did not lead to a significant annealing.
Effect of process variables on the functional properties of seven beef cuts
Authors: Farouk M. M. , Podmore C.
Published: June 2008

The effects of electrical stimulation, boning (hot or cold), storage (chilled or frozen) and meat cut type on the composition and functional properties of seven New Zealand export cuts (brisket, blade, bolar, inside round, knuckle, outside round and rump) from cull cows were investigated. Cut type, but not processing, affected lean composition (P < 0.001). Chilled cuts had a higher pH and water holding capacity, and a more stable colour relative to frozen cuts. The brisket, blade and rump had a higher water holding capacity compared with the other cuts. Cooked batters from chilled cuts had higher torsion stress, strain and emulsion stability compared with cooked batters from frozen cuts. Chilled bolars and outside rounds produced stronger and more cohesive gels, whereas chilled briskets produced the weakest and least cohesive gels. Cooked batter from electrically stimulated cuts had lower emulsion stability than that from unstimulated cuts. Data from the present study can be used to differentiate or group the seven cuts on the basis of their composition and functional properties in raw or cooked form for the purpose of adding value.
Effects of the composition of irrigated perennial pasture on the milk production of dairy cows and their responses to supplementation with cereal grain-based concentrates
Authors: Stockdale C. R.
Published: June 2008

The objective of the research described here was to compare the milk production from paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.)-dominant swards with milk production from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)–white clover (Trifolium repens L.)-dominant swards. Eight experiments were conducted over a 2-year period, during which half the cows grazed pastures that had been established for more than 15 years (old pasture) and were dominated by paspalum in summer, while the remaining cows grazed pastures sown within the previous 2–3 years (new pasture), which were dominated by temperate species. Groups of four to five lactating Friesian cows grazed either old or new pasture and were either unsupplemented or were offered ~5 kg DM/cow.day of a high energy supplement (75% barley and 25% wheat). The hypothesis was that milk production would be greater from cows grazing new pastures than old pastures (at common pasture allowances), but that marginal milk responses when cereal grain-based supplements were fed would be greater when cows grazed old pastures; this was only partially supported. Milk yields were generally greater when cows grazed new pastures, but in six out of eight experiments, the advantage was only ~1 kg milk (100 g fat plus protein)/cow or less. In these six experiments, the difference in metabolisable energy density between the pastures was 0.7 MJ/kg DM or less. When concentrates were fed to supplement grazed pasture, there were seasonal variations, but similar marginal responses in milk production were recorded on both pastures throughout the study.
Increased profitability and social outcomes from livestock in smallholder crop - livestock systems in developing countries: the ACIAR experience
Authors: Winter W. H. , Doyle P. T.
Published: June 2008

Participating in research and development projects designed to increase the profitability and social outcomes from livestock production in smallholder crop–livestock systems provides valuable and rewarding learning experiences for scientists from Australia and partner countries. The majority of livestock in Asia are in these systems and any interventions to increase animal production need to consider the cropping activities of the farm, which vary considerably in relation to people, land and water resources, season length and the number and types of crops. Understanding the farming systems in enough depth is essential if interventions are to lead to improved outcomes for families. In this paper, we briefly consider the diversity and complexity of crop–livestock systems and the approach of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research in investing in research, development and extension for positive impacts from livestock production on the wellbeing of rural households in developing countries. An important approach to categorising livestock farmers to assess whether they are likely to be receptive to change is described. Consideration is given to the appropriateness of technologies, the need for sound science and the importance of capacity development in underpinning useful changes to systems. Because of the diversity and complexity of systems, systems-modelling is important in exploring options and interactions between components of the farming systems. Examples are given throughout the paper to emphasise learning from experience. The paper concludes with a list of the lessons learnt.