bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triage of pregnant women in the emergency department: evaluation of a triage decision aid
Authors: McCarthy Mary , McDonald Susan , Pollock Wendy
Published: March 2012

Background

Applying the Australasian Triage Scale to pregnant women presenting to emergency departments (EDs) is difficult as the descriptors may not reflect the urgency of the obstetric condition. This study aimed to examine whether condition-specific algorithms and triage education improved triage assessment and documentation of pregnant women presenting to the ED.

Method

Algorithms with a decision aid for triage with minimum agreed descriptors were developed to triage two pregnancy conditions (pre-eclampsia and antepartum haemorrhage). Triage documentation was then audited before (n=50) and after (n=50) a triage education programme which introduced algorithms for both conditions. Significant differences were examined using χ2test with significance set at p<0.05.

Results

The quality of documentation of specific clinically significant symptoms of pre-eclampsia improved considerably, including the presence of headache from 58% pre-education to 80% post-education (p=0.002), visual disturbances from 58% to 90% (p<0.001), epigastric pain from 24% to 80% (p=0.002) and the presence of fetal movements from 62% to 90% (p=0.001). Documentation of descriptors for vaginal bleeding >20 weeks gestation improved for estimation of blood loss from 54% to 86% (p<0.001), patient ‘appearance’ from 32% to 62% (p=0.003) and, importantly, descriptions of patient's own assessment of their well-being from 8% to 28% (p=0.009).

Conclusion

The introduction of triage education and condition-specific decision aids for triage markedly improved triage assessment and documentation. The application of algorithms may reduce clinical risk resulting from suboptimal triage of pregnant women presenting to EDs.
Comparative effectiveness of two self-collected sample kit distribution systems for chlamydia screening on a university campus
Authors: Jenkins Wiley D , Weis Rob , Campbell Paula , Barnes Mathilda , Barnes Perry , Gaydos Charlotte
Published: March 2012

Objectives

Chlamydia trachomatis(CT) rates and incidence continue to increase, and university students are known to engage in high-risk activities, but studies of CT prevalence in this population are limited by poor screening rates. Utilisation of self-obtained sample (SoS) kits in private student residencies may reduce screening barriers. The authors sought to determine the relative effectiveness, and comparative effectiveness, of two SoS kit distribution mechanisms: one which provided kits directly to students and another encouraging students to order kits from a website.

Methods

During 2010–2011, residents of six university dormitories were provided training sessions describing CT, the project and SoS kit use. Students in three dormitories were provided kits, and the remaining students directed to the website (http://www.iwantthekit.org).

Results

Of 391 resident students, 163 were provided with kits and 175 were directed to the website. Of provided kits, 12 (8 women) were returned and 2 (16.7%; both women) were positive. Of only three internet-requested kits, all were returned (all women) and none were positive. In a post-project survey examining non-participation, 26.2% of students were unaware of the project (no difference by dormitory or gender) and 58.5% of women cited prior testing as part of a medical exam.

Conclusions

Though direct kit distribution was more effective in student screening engagement, overall participation was poor despite widespread advertising. The methodology of online testing and SoS kits has been well validated elsewhere, but research is needed to successfully engage university students in screening and refine SoS target populations in light of changing healthcare policies.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ELEMENTAL ACCUMULATION AND RADIOACTIVE CESIUM CONTAMINATION IN LENTINULA EDODES (SHIITAKE) BASED ON PIXE ANALYSIS
Authors: TERAKAWA A. , ISHII K. , MATSUYAMA S. , KIKUCHI Y. , NAGAKUBO K. , SAKURADA T. , MIURA Y. , KAWAMURA T. , KARAHASHI M. , HASEGAWA A. , YAMAZAKI H. , YUKI H. , SATO I. , SERA K.
Published: March 2012

Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis of Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) mushrooms contaminated with radioactive cesium was performed to study relationships between concentrations of principal elements of shiitake mushrooms and their radioactive cesium levels. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster caused by the huge tsunami on March 11, 2011, we collected five shiitake samples in Marumori town, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 21, 2011. The mean radioactive level of the samples was 228 Bq/kg (the sum of 134 Cs and 137 Cs ). The preliminary result of PIXE analysis using an internal standard method has demonstrated that shiitake mushrooms significantly collect rubidium as well as potassium. It is suggested that radioactive cesium is accumulated in shiitake just like rubidium during the course of potassium uptake.
FILTRATED K-THEORY FOR REAL RANK ZERO C*-ALGEBRAS
Authors: ARKLINT SARA , RESTORFF GUNNAR , RUIZ EFREN
Published: March 2012

The smallest primitive ideal spaces for which there exist counterexamples to the classification of non-simple, purely infinite, nuclear, separable C*-algebras using filtrated K-theory, are four-point spaces. In this article, we therefore restrict to real rank zero C*-algebras with four-point primitive ideal spaces. Up to homeomorphism, there are ten different connected T0-spaces with exactly four points. We show that filtrated K-theory classifies real rank zero, tight, stable, purely infinite, nuclear, separable C*-algebras that satisfy that all simple subquotients are in the bootstrap class for eight out of ten of these spaces.
INFLUENCE OF A UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD ON DYNAMICAL CHIRAL SYMMETRY BREAKING IN QED3
Authors: LI JIAN-FENG , FENG HONG-TAO , JIANG YU , SUN WEI-MIN , ZONG HONG-SHI
Published: March 2012

We study dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (DCSB) in an effective QED3 theory of d-wave high temperature cuprate superconductors under a uniform magnetic field. At zero temperature, the external magnetic field induces a mixed state by generating vortices in the condensate of charged holons. The growing magnetic field suppresses the superfluid density and thus reduces the gauge field mass which is opened via the Anderson–Higgs mechanism. By numerically solving the Dyson–Schwinger gap equation, we show that the massless fermions acquires a dynamical gap through DCSB mechanism when the magnetic field strength H is above a critical value H c and the fermion flavors N is below a critical value N c . Further, it is found that both N c and the dynamical fermion gap increase as the magnetic field H grows. It is expected that our result can be tested in phenomena in high temperature cuprate superconductors.
THE INCLUSIVE SEMI-LEPTONIC $\bar B \to X_s \mu^+ \mu^-$ AND LEPTONIC $\bar{B}_s \rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^-$ DECAYS IN THE PRESENCE OF A LIGHT STABILIZED RADION IN RANDALL–SUNDRUM MODEL
Authors: DAS PRASANTA KUMAR
Published: March 2012

The Belle collaboration has reported [Formula: see text] for the inclusive decay [Formula: see text]. Recently, the LHCb and the CMS collaboration has released the combined limit [Formula: see text]. The standard model results of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are found to be within the 1σ of the experimental result. Taking a conservative viewpoint, we use these decays to constrain the braneworld Randall–Sundrum model. The stabilized radion in the Randall–Sundrum model, which is an electro-weak singlet, can cause the flavor changing neutral current (FCNC) b →s transition at the oneloop level. We investigate the possible impact of a stabilized radion on the above two decays and obtain the possible constraints on the radion vev 〈ϕ〉 for an ultra-light radion.
KERR–BOLT SPACETIMES AND KERR/CFT CORRESPONDENCE
Authors: GHEZELBASH A. M.
Published: March 2012

We study the extremal rotating spacetimes with a NUT twist in the context of recently proposed Kerr/CFT correspondence. The Kerr/CFT correspondence states that the near-horizon states of an extremal four (or higher) dimensional black hole could be identified with a certain chiral conformal field theory. The corresponding Virasoro algebra is generated with a class of diffeomorphism which preserves an appropriate boundary condition on the near-horizon geometry. We combine the calculated central charges with the expected form of the temperature, using the Cardy formula to obtain the microscopically entropy of the extremal rotating spacetimes with a NUT twist. All results are in agreement with the macroscopic entropy of the extremal spacetimes.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE HADRONIC REGGE TRAJECTORIES
Authors: RANJAN AKHILESH , NANDAN HEMWATI
Published: March 2012

The effect of quark mass on the Regge trajectory is analyzed. Modifications in the equations of Regge trajectories are shown for mesonic as well as baryonic systems. For mesonic systems, the Regge trajectories get modified, but still remain linear. Contrary to the mesonic case, the Regge trajectories for baryonic systems indicate nonlinearity. It is shown that in low mass and angular momentum region two hadrons with different quark compositions can have same mass and angular momentum.
CASIMIR ENERGY FOR A MASSIVE DIRAC FIELD IN ONE SPATIAL DIMENSION: A DIRECT APPROACH
Authors: SAGHIAN R. , VALUYAN M. A. , SEYEDZAHEDI A. , GOUSHEH S. S.
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we calculate the Casimir energy for a massive fermionic field confined between two points in one spatial dimension, with the MIT bag model boundary condition. We compute the Casimir energy directly by summing over the allowed modes. The method that we use is based on the Boyer's method, and there will be no need to resort to any analytic continuation techniques. We explicitly show the graph of the Casimir energy as a function of the distance between the points and the mass of the fermionic field. We also present a rigorous derivation of the MIT bag model boundary condition.
CORTICAL PHASE TRANSITIONS, NONEQUILIBRIUM THERMODYNAMICS AND THE TIME-DEPENDENT GINZBURG–LANDAU EQUATION
Authors: FREEMAN WALTER J. , LIVI ROBERTO , OBINATA MASASHI , VITIELLO GIUSEPPE
Published: March 2012

The formation of amplitude modulated and phase modulated assemblies of neurons is observed in the brain functional activity. The study of the formation of such structures requires that the analysis has to be organized in hierarchical levels, microscopic, mesoscopic, macroscopic, each with its characteristic space-time scales and the various forms of energy, electric, chemical, thermal produced and used by the brain. In this paper, we discuss the microscopic dynamics underlying the mesoscopic and the macroscopic levels and focus our attention on the thermodynamics of the nonequilibrium phase transitions. We obtain the time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation for the nonstationary regime and consider the formation of topologically nontrivial structures such as the vortex solution. The power laws observed in functional activities of the brain is also discussed and related to coherent states characterizing the many-body dissipative model of brain.
COMPARISON OF HYSTERESIS CONTROL AND REDUCED ORDER LINEAR QUADRATIC REGULATOR CONTROL FOR POWER FACTOR CORRECTION USING DC–DC CUK CONVERTERS
Authors: UMAMAHESWARI M. G. , UMA G. , VIJITHA S. REDLINE
Published: March 2012

This paper focuses on a comparative study of a reduced order linear quadratic regulator control (ROLQR) and conventional variable frequency hysteresis controller (HC) for power factor correction, and their performances are compared. A prototype of front-end AC–DC converter followed by DC–DC Cuk converter controlled by a dSPACE signal processor was set up for 60 watts. Experimental results are presented to validate the simulation results. Simulation and experimental results reveal that ROLQR control can achieve good output voltage regulation and also provide improved robustness in shaping the input current in the presence of load variations when compared to conventional HC.
ACOUSTIC BLACK HOLES FROM SUPERCURRENT TUNNELING
Authors: GE XIAN-HUI , WU SHAO-FENG , WANG YUNPING , YANG GUO-HONG , SHEN YOU-GEN
Published: March 2012

We present a version of acoustic black holes by using the principle of the Josephson effect. We find that in the case where two superconductors A and B are separated by an insulating barrier, an acoustic black hole may be created in the middle region between the two superconductors. We discuss in detail how to describe an acoustic black hole in the Josephson junction and write the metric in the language of the superconducting electronics. Our final results infer that for big enough tunneling current and thickness of the junction, experimental verification of the Hawking temperature could be possible.
NONLINEARITY AND CHAOS IN 8B SOLAR NEUTRINO FLUX SIGNALS FROM SUDBURY NEUTRINO OBSERVATORY
Authors: KHONDEKAR MOFAZZAL H. , GHOSH DIPENDRA N. , GHOSH KOUSHIK , BHATTACHARYA ANUP KUMAR
Published: March 2012

The Sudbury neutrino observatory (SNO) detects 8 B solar neutrino fluxes from both the D2O and Salt detector. In the present analysis we have taken into consideration the flux data from 2nd November, 1999 to 27th May, 2001 from the D2O detector and that from 26th July, 2001 to 28th August, 2003 from the Salt detector. We have applied Delay Vector Variance analysis, 0-1 test, correlation dimension analysis, largest Lyapunov exponent method, recurrence plot and recurrence quantification analysis to explore the complexity and chaosity in these two time series. Present study reveals deterministic chaotic behaviour of these two signals which in turn suggests that long-term forecasting is not possible for these two signals but short-term forecasting can be made provided the model for the process dynamics is known to us.
COLORFUL SYMMETRIC IMAGES IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE FROM DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: LU JIAN , ZOU YURU , LIU ZEYI , LI WENXIA
Published: March 2012

Functions that are invariant with respect to the tetrahedral and cubic symmetries are determined. These invariant mappings are applied to serve as the density functions for automatic generation of the colorful images with such symmetries in three dimensional space from a dynamical system's point of view.
EXAMPLES OF USING BINARY CANTOR SETS TO STUDY THE CONNECTIVITY OF SIERPIŃSKI RELATIVES
Authors: TAYLOR T. D. , HUDSON C. , ANDERSON A.
Published: March 2012

The Sierpiński relatives form a class of fractals that all have the same fractal dimension, but different topologies. This class includes the well-known Sierpiński gasket. Some relatives are totally disconnected, some are disconnected but with paths, some are simply-connected, and some are multiply-connected. This paper presents examples of relatives for which binary Cantor sets are relevant for the connectivity. These Cantor sets are variations of the usual middle thirds Cantor set, and their binary descriptions greatly aid in the determination of the connectivity of the corresponding relatives.
SELF-SIMILAR BEHAVIOR IN SEMICONDUCTOR SUPERLATTICES
Authors: CASTRO-PALACIO JUAN C. , VILLATORO FRANCISCO R. , MENDOZA-YERO OMEL , VELÁZQUEZ-ABAD LUISBERIS , MONSORIU JUAN A.
Published: March 2012

The scattering of particles in fractal superlattices has been analyzed by means of the transfer matrix method. The fractal superlattice consists of alternating layers of semiconductor materials following the rule of a Cantor set. This problem can be represented by a model of quantum particles scattering in piecewise constant potential wells. Fractal properties of the reflection coefficient versus the particle energy curves are examined comparatively to the curves when using the corresponding periodic potentials. The degree of self-similarity of the output variables has been quantified by means of the correlation function.
SOLID SULFONIC ACID CATALYSTS BASED ON POROUS CARBONS AND CARBON–SILICA COMPOSITES
Authors: TIAN XIAO NING , LUO LIJUAN , JIANG ZHONGQING , ZHAO X. S.
Published: March 2012

Mesoporous carbons prepared using a templating method under different carbonization temperatures are sulfonated with concentrated H2SO4. Without the moving of silica template carbon–silica composites were prepared, which can maintain the pore structure well during sulfonation reaction process. The resultant samples are characterized using nitrogen adsorption, transmission electron microscope, field-emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elemental analysis techniques. The catalytic performances of the sulfonated carbons and composites are evaluated by esterification reaction of methanol with acetic acid. The results show that a low-temperature carbonization process is favorable for improving the reaction conversion of acetic acid. In addition, the sulfonated carbon–silica composites show a higher acetic acid conversion than the sulfonated mesoporous carbons.
Shanghai Automotive and Ssangyong Motor – A Tale of Two Dragons (A)
Authors: Leiping Xu , White Steven
Published: March 2012

Shanghai Automotive (SAIC), one of China's "Big Three" automakers, paid US$571 million in 2004 to acquire a controlling majority share in Ssangyong Motor of South Korea to help SAIC achieve its strategic objectives of developing its own passenger car brand and expanding operations internationally. This first case in the 3-case series covers the decision making leading up to the deal, signed in October 2004 and implemented in January 2005. It provides a basis for comparing modes of growth options (make, buy or ally) and the specific challenges facing Chinese firms and other newly-internationalizing firms as they go abroad. The case also generates discussion of fundamental acquisition issues: target selection, assessment and integration planning.
PARAMETRIC INSTABILITY OF TWO-DISK ROTOR WITH TWO INERTIA ASYMMETRIES
Authors: HAN Q. K. , CHU F. L.
Published: March 2012

Determination of operating conditions of parametric instability is crucial to the design and usage of the inertia asymmetric rotor. Current research mostly focused on the rotor with single inertia asymmetric disk. There are few studies on the multi-disk rotors with multiple inertia asymmetries. In fact, the interaction between the multiple parametric excitations with various phasing and amplitude, which are induced by the multiple unsymmetrical disks, would make the instability behavior of the system differ distinctly from that of the single-disk rotor system. Thus, the parametric instability of the two-disk rotor system with two inertia asymmetries is studied herein. Two important indicators for describing the unstable regions, namely the unstable rotating speed and width of the unstable region, are defined and derived using the parametric instability theory and Taylor expansion technique. For a practical used two-disk unsymmetrical rotor, three design parameters (inertia excitation phasing, relative position of the disk, and inertia ratio) are discussed in detail for their effects on the two indicators. It is shown from the results that the dynamic instability of the two-disk unsymmetrical rotor system indeed has some unique features that differ from that of the one-disk rotor system. The interaction of the two inertia parametric excitations could be utilized to control (or enhance) the unstable regions.
A SIMPLE ESTIMATOR FOR THE WEIBULL SHAPE PARAMETER
Authors: TEIMOURI MAHDI , NADARAJAH SARALEES
Published: March 2012

The Weibull distribution is the most popular model for lifetimes. However, the maximum likelihood estimators for the Weibull distribution are not available in closed form. In this note, we derive a simple, consistent, closed form estimator for the Weibull shape parameter. This estimator is independent of the Weibull scale parameter. Simulation studies show that this estimator performs as well as the maximum likelihood estimator.
STABILITY OF SPATIAL ELASTICA IN A GRAVITATIONAL FIELD
Authors: PHUNGPAINGAM BOONCHAI , VIRGIN LAWRENCE N. , CHUCHEEPSAKUL SOMCHAI
Published: March 2012

This paper considers the behavior of a spatial elastica in a gravitational field. The slenderness of the system considered is such that the weight becomes an important consideration in determining elastic equilibrium configurations. Both ends of the elastica are clamped in an initially (planar) horizontal orientation at a fixed distance apart. However, one of the ends allows an increase in arc-length, that is, it is a sleeve joint. Thus, the total arc-length is the primary control parameter. This kind of elastica typically loses stability, resulting in out-of-plane deflections, when the total arc-length is increased beyond a critical value. A small mid-length torque can used to perturb a planar equilibrium configuration in order to test for stability. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of self-weight of the elastica (which is typically ignored) on promoting or delaying the loss of stability. To this end, it is useful to compare and contrast the results of orientation, that is, the system is configured in both an initial "upright" orientation and then in an "upside-down" orientation to highlight the influence of gravity. The results of the weightless elastica are used as a reference. Analysis is based on Kirchhoff's rod theory and Euler parameters, and the resulting set of governing differential equations are solved using a shooting method. The results from an experimental system using a slender superelastic wire made from Nitinol (Nickel Titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory) exhibit close agreement with the analytical results.
A PRECISE RESULT ON THE ARITHMETIC OF NON-PRINCIPAL ORDERS IN ALGEBRAIC NUMBER FIELDS
Authors: PHILIPP ANDREAS
Published: March 2012

Let R be an order in an algebraic number field. If R is a principal order, then many explicit results on its arithmetic are available. Among others, R is half-factorial if and only if the class group of R has at most two elements. Much less is known for non-principal orders. Using a new semigroup theoretical approach, we study half-factoriality and further arithmetical properties for non-principal orders in algebraic number fields.
BILINEAR MAPS ON ARTINIAN MODULES
Authors: BERGMAN GEORGE M.
Published: March 2012

It is shown that if a bilinear map f : A × B → C of modules over a commutative ring k is nondegenerate (i.e. if no nonzero element of A annihilates all of B, and vice versa), and A and B are Artinian, then A and B are of finite length.

Some consequences are noted. Counterexamples are given to some attempts to generalize the above result to balanced bilinear maps of bimodules over noncommutative rings, while the question is raised whether other such generalizations are true.
HALF-ISOMORPHISMS OF MOUFANG LOOPS OF ODD ORDER
Authors: GAGOLA STEPHEN , GIULIANI MARIA DE LOURDES MERLINI
Published: March 2012

A half-isomorphism φ : G → K between multiplicative systems G and K is a bijection from G onto K such that φ(ab) ∈ {φ(a)φ(b), φ(b)φ(a)} for any a, b ∈ G. It was shown by W. R. Scott [Half-homomorphisms of groups, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 8 (1957) 1141–1144] that if G is a group then φ is either an isomorphism or an anti-isomorphism. This is used to prove that a finite group is determined by its group determinant. Here we show that every half-isomorphism between Moufang loops of odd order is either an isomorphism or an anti-isomorphism. Such a result does not carry over to Moufang loops of even order.
DEFINABLE SUBCATEGORIES OVER PURE SEMISIMPLE RINGS
Authors: DUNG NGUYEN VIET , GARCÍA JOSÉ LUIS
Published: March 2012

Let R be a right pure semisimple ring, and [Formula: see text] be a family of sources of left almost split morphisms in mod-R. We study the definable subcategory [Formula: see text] in Mod-R determined by the family [Formula: see text], and show that [Formula: see text] has several nice properties similar to those of the category Mod-R. For example, its functor category [Formula: see text] is a module category, and preinjective objects of [Formula: see text] are sources of left almost split morphisms in [Formula: see text] and in mod-R. As an application, it is shown that if R is a right pure semisimple ring with no nonzero homomorphisms from preinjective modules to non-preinjective indecomposable modules in mod-R (in particular, if R is right pure semisimple hereditary), then any definable subcategory of Mod-R determined by a finite set of indecomposable right R-modules contains only finitely many non-isomorphic indecomposable modules.
SUPERCRITICAL SOLVOTHERMAL SYNTHESIS AND NEAR-INFRARED ABSORBING PROPERTIES OF CsxWO3
Authors: GUO CHONGSHEN , YIN SHU , HUANG YUNFANG , DONG QIANG , LI HUIHUI , SATO TSUGIO
Published: March 2012

Cs x WO 3 nanoparticles in the range of 20–50 nm have been successfully synthesized by the supercritical solvothermal approach, where after dissolving WCl6 and CsOH in a mixed solution of water, ethanol and oleic acid, the solution was heated at 300°C. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, TEM, HR-TEM, EDS, laser particle size analysis and thermographic measurements. Cs x WO 3 nanoparticles showed the high transparency in the visible region, excellent shielding performance of the near-infrared light and limited reflectance of light in the range of 200–2700 nm, indicating the strong absorption of NIR light on the nanosized Cs x WO 3. Cs x WO 3 nanoparticles also exhibited quick conversion of photo-energy to local heat.
OLEATE-ASSISTED ROOM TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS AND HIGH PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF Ag3PO4 NANOPARTICLES FOR NO DECOMPOSITION
Authors: HUANG LIJUN , YIN SHU , GUO CHONGSHEN , HUANG YUNFANG , WANG MING , DONG QIANG , LI HUIHUI , KIMURA TAKESHI , TANAKA MIYUKI , SATO TSUGIO
Published: March 2012

An oleate-assisted approach was used to synthesize nanosized spherical silver phosphate (Ag3PO4) in different solvents. The silver phosphate nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), thermogravimetric analysis (TDA), and surface area measurement by nitrogen adsorption and decomposition evolution of NO x gas. The as-prepared nanoparticles showed narrow size distribution. The black colored nanoparticles could absorb most of visible light with a wavelength up to 530 nm. The DeNO x experiments revealed that the nanosized Ag3PO4 possessed a photocatalytic ability being superior to commercial P25 sample both in ultraviolet light and visible light regions.
NANOCRYSTALLIZATION AND OPTICAL PROPERTY OF WILLEMITE-TYPE SEMICONDUCTIVE Zn2GeO4 IN GLASS
Authors: TAKAHASHI YOSHIHIRO , ANDO MASATAKA , IHARA RIE , FUJIWARA TAKUMI , OSADA MINORU
Published: March 2012

A wide band-gap semiconductive oxide Zn2GeO4 has recently attracted considerable interest because it is a multifunctional material; excellent photoluminescent (PL) and photocatalytic property, high-capacity anode for lithium batteries, and so on. Recently, present authors' group have fabricated transparent Zn2GeO4 -nanocrystallized glass from a lithium zincogermanate glass. This article briefly describes a series of our studies on the nanocrystallized glass. Particularly, the phase-formation dynamics in supercooled-liquid phase and PL property of nanocrystallized glasses are presented.
MORPHOLOGICAL CONTROL OF METAL OXIDE-DOPED ZINC OXIDE AND APPLICATION TO COSMETICS
Authors: GOTO TAKEHIRO , YIN SHU , SATO TSUGIO , TANAKA TAKUMI
Published: March 2012

Zinc oxide shows excellent transparency and ultraviolet radiation shielding ability, and is used for various cosmetics.1–3 However, it possesses high catalytic activity and lower dispersibility. Therefore, spherical particles of zinc oxide have been synthesized by soft solution reaction using zinc nitrate, ethylene glycol, sodium hydroxide and triethanolamine as starting materials. After dissolving these compounds in water, the solution was heated at 90°C for 1 h to form almost mono-dispersed spherical zinc oxide particles. The particle size changed depending on zinc ion concentration, ethylene glycol concentration and so on. Furthermore, with doping some metal ions, the phtocatalytic activity could be decreased. The obtained monodispersed metal ion-doped spherical zinc oxides showed excellent UV shielding ability and low photocatalytic activity. Therefore, they are expected to be used as cosmetics ingredients.
SYNTHESIS OF NiAl INTERMETALLIC COMPOUND NANOSIZED POWDERS BY PULSED WIRE DISCHARGE
Authors: KOISHI TETSUYA , ISHIHARA SATORU , SUZUKI TSUNEO , NAKAYAMA TADACHIKA , SUEMATSU HISAYUKI , NIIHARA KOICHI
Published: March 2012

NiAl nanosized powders were synthesized by pulsed wire discharge (PWD) using twisted Ni and Al wires with various number of turns (Nt). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that the optimum conditions for synthesized NiAl nanosized powders were usage of a twisted Ni and Al wire with 0.4 turn/mm discharged in N2 gas. For clarifying the dependence of Nt on the powder purity, waveforms of current, voltage and deposited energy during the discharges were measured. From the waveforms, deposited energy ratio until a voltage peak (Kp), which is an index to evaluate volume fraction of evaporated wire, was calculated. In low Kp conditions, nanoparticles with low composition ratio of Ni (C Ni ) and large particles with high C Ni were frequently observed. This result indicated that the Ni wire had a high boiling point than that of Al so that unevaporated Ni remained as large liquid droplets in the discharge. Decrease of Kp was thought that the increase of Nt introduced lattice defects by plastic deformation to increase the resistance and to evaporate the wire partially. From the results above, a method to synthesize NiAl intermetallic compound nanosized powders by PWD was successfully developed using Ni and Al twisted wires. In addition, Kp turned out to be important in synthesizing single-phase nanosized powders.
COMPARISON OF MODELING TECHNIQUES FOR SELECTING OPTIMIZED AND AUTOMATED PLASMA CUTTING PROCESS PARAMETERS
Authors: SENTHIL KUMAR M. , DHANASEKAR B. , RANGA JANARDHANA G. , PARAMASIVAM S. , JAYA KUMAR K. S.
Published: March 2012

The advancement in technologies made the entire manufacturing system, to be operated with more efficient, flexible, user friendly, more productive and cost effective. One such a system to be focused for advancement is plasma cutting system, which has wider industrial applications. There are many researches pursuing at various area of plasma cutting technology, still the automated and optimized parameters value selection is challenging. The work is aimed to eliminate the manual mode of feeding the input parameters for cutting operation. At present, cutting parameters are fed by referring the past cut data information or with the assistance of experienced employers. The cutting process parameters selections will have direct impact on the quality of the material being cut, and life of the consumables. This paper is intended to automate the process parameters selection by developing the mathematical model with existing cutting process parameters database. In this, three different approaches, multiple regression, multiple polynomial regression and AI technique, are selected and analyzed with the mathematical relations developed between the different cutting process parameters. The accuracy and reliability of those methods are detailed. The advantage and disadvantage of those methods for optimal setting conditions are discussed. The appropriate method that can be preferred for automated and optimal settings are elucidated. Finally, the selected technique is checked for accuracy and reliability for the existing cut data.
Climatic oscillations at the onset of the Mesozoic inferred from palynological records from the North Indian Margin
Authors: Hermann Elke , Hochuli Peter A. , Bucher Hugo , Brühwiler Thomas , Hautmann Michael , Ware David , Weissert Helmut , Roohi Ghazala , Yaseen Aamir , Khalil-ur-Rehman
Published: March 2012

The beginning of the Mesozoic, the Early Triassic, is characterized by several ecological perturbations following the end-Permian mass extinction. They are reflected in multiple C-isotope excursions coupled with climatic changes. Here we present palynological data from two accurately dated sections from the North Indian Margin (Pakistan and South Tibet). The climate of the Early Triassic was controlled by persistent monsoon circulation. The spore/pollen ratios, used as a proxy for humidity changes, indicate several significant climatic changes coinciding with C-isotope excursions. Comparison with published climate model simulations reveals that the climatic shifts were induced by orbital forcing and probably represent eccentricity cycles. Humidity peaks indicate an insolation forced shift of the intertropical convergence zone towards the North Indian Margin. Comparison with palynological data from Norway and other proxies reveal that the profound climatic change from humid to drier climate across the Smithian–Spathian boundary represents a global event, which affected southern and northern mid-latitudes and coincided with major ammonoid and conodont extinction events. This implies that increased greenhouse gas concentrations owing to recurring volcanic pulses increased the climate system sensitivity, resulting in climatic changes in distant parts of the world. Our data strongly support a link between C-isotope excursions, climatic changes and biotic responses.
The transpressive left-lateral Sierra Madre de Chiapas and its buried front in the Tabasco plain (southern Mexico)
Authors: Witt C. , Rangin C. , Andreani L. , Olaez N. , Martinez J.
Published: March 2012

The Sierra Madre de Chiapas evolved in the vicinity of the triple junction between the Cocos, North America and Caribbean plates. The Sierra Madre de Chiapas tectonics reflects positive topographic growth along its main core and a northwards-directed collapse through a free border related to the Gulf of Mexico. Major exhumation and topographic growth occurred during the middle–late Miocene (16–10 Ma). Evidence for this deformational event is provided by fault activity, major stratigraphic unconformities along the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and the Tabasco coastal plain (i.e. southern Gulf of Mexico), major salt-related motion, northward progradation of the sedimentation and northward migration of the buried deformational front. During the Neogene, strike-slip deformation and its related exhumation migrated landwards from the western edge of the Chiapas massif complex to the Chiapas Sierra. Horizontal displacement along the main strike-slip faults in the Chiapas Sierra has been indirectly estimated to be between 30 and 43 km during the last 6–5 Ma, implying 0.5–0.8 cm a
−1
of lateral accommodation. These values suggest that a significant amount of the motion transferred by the Caribbean and North American plates is currently being accommodated along the Chiapas area.

Supplementary material:

A geological map of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas is available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18507
.
Siluro-Devonian landscapes of southern Britain: the stability and nature of early vascular plant habitats
Authors: Morris J. L. , Wright V. P. , Edwards D.
Published: March 2012

A prerequisite for plant taphonomy and palaeoecological analysis of early land plants is to understand the palaeogeomorphology of the landscapes that they inhabited. The Lower Old Red Sandstone of the Anglo-Welsh Basin was chosen to ascertain the nature of the landscapes and range and variability of potential plant habitats. Evidence is provided for dynamic, low-lying landscapes, with complex hydrology and mosaics of microenvironments. The Raglan Mudstone Formation (latest Přídolí–earliest Lochkovian) represents a mud-dominated, ephemeral dryland river system, active during short-lived high-discharge events. Plant habitats were restricted to areas with temporarily elevated water tables, suitable for plants with short life cycles (e.g. rhyniophytes). The St. Maughans Formation (early Lochkovian) represents a sand-dominated, perennial trunk channel river system, with an overall wetter, more stable landscape. Plant habitats extended into areas of permanently elevated water tables, where plants with a more extensive vegetative growth stage survived (e.g. zosterophylls). In association with evidence from the plant fossil record, this leads to the hypothesis that during the latest Silurian to earliest Devonian the landscapes across the southern margins of Laurussia were too hostile (overall moisture deficient and unstable) for plants of higher organization than rhyniophytes to establish, despite their radiation across palaeoequatorial latitudes much earlier.
Grain-size trends reveal the late orogenic tectonic and erosional history of the south–central Pyrenees, Spain
Authors: Parsons Andrew J. , Michael Nikolas A. , Whittaker Alexander C. , Duller Robert A. , Allen Philip A.
Published: March 2012

Stratigraphic grain-size trends record tectonic and climatic signals. Here, we show how measurements of sediment calibre and clast lithology can be used to identify changes in accommodation space and sediment budget, using examples from Palaeogene syntectonic clastic deposits in the southern Pyrenees. We identify a mid Eocene interval of rapid grain-size fining, driven by local tectonic subsidence; a late Eocene interval of diminished local accommodation generation; and an Oligocene interval showing order-of-magnitude lower grain-size fining rates, driven by increased sediment supply. Our results demonstrate that grain-size trends provide a powerful means to explore the tectonic and climatic boundary conditions governing sediment routing systems.
The onset of the Permo-Carboniferous glaciation: reconciling global stratigraphic evidence with biogenic apatite δ
18
O records in the late Visean
Authors: Barham M. , Murray J. , Joachimski M. M. , Williams D. M.
Published: March 2012

The δ
18
O values of phosphatic microfossils recovered from NW Ireland are used to determine the timing and magnitude of cooling associated with the onset of the Carboniferous glaciation. Microfossil fish δ
18
O
apatite
demonstrates a +2.4‰ (V-SMOW) shift, which, once corrected for δ
18
O
seawater
changes owing to evolving ice volumes, equates to an approximate 4.5 °C reduction in equatorial sea surface temperature between the earliest Asbian and the mid-Brigantian (late Visean). Both conodont and microfossil fish δ
18
O
apatite
indicate stabilization of an ‘icehouse’ climate during the Brigantian and into the Serpukhovian. Substantial late Visean cooling identified herein is in good agreement with global glacioeustatic records.

Supplementary material:

Further information on the palaeogeography, lithostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments of the sections examined as well as the sample composition and analytical methods of oxygen isotope analyses is available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18511
.
Soft faults with hard tips: magnitude-order displacement gradient variations controlled by strain softening versus hardening; implications for fault scaling
Authors: Rotevatn Atle , Fossen Haakon
Published: March 2012

We document magnitude-order displacement gradient variations along single faults as a function of microstructural style, hardening or weakening behaviour during deformation, and the variability of the former two over time during fault evolution in porous sandstone. The observed variations imply that the power-law displacement–length (
D–L
) scaling relation,
D
max
= γ

L
n

, changes through time and stages of fault evolution. Findings of this study combined with published
D–L
data suggest that faults in porous rocks follow a three-stage evolution in
D–L
space: (1) proto-fault evolution with
n
~ 0.5; (2) onset of macroscopic discrete slip with
n
in the range of 2–5; (3) stable growth with
n
~ 1.0. This implies that the power-law exponent
n
depends on the maturity of the fault population
D
and the range of fault sizes under consideration. Thus, the relationship between displacement and length is more complicated than previously thought.
Interleukin-1β-induced barrier dysfunction is signaled through PKC-θ in human brain microvascular endothelium
Authors: Rigor Robert R. , Beard Richard S. , Litovka Olesya P. , Yuan Sarah Y.
Published: March 2012

Blood-brain barrier dysfunction is a serious consequence of inflammatory brain diseases, cerebral infections, and trauma. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β is central to neuroinflammation and contributes to brain microvascular leakage and edema formation. Although it is well known that IL-1β exposure directly induces hyperpermeability in brain microvascular endothelium, the molecular mechanisms mediating this response are not completely understood. In the present study, we found that exposure of the human brain microvascular endothelium to IL-1β triggered activation of novel PKC isoforms δ, μ, and θ, followed by decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TER). The IL-1β-induced decrease in TER was prevented by small hairpin RNA silencing of PKC-θ or by treatment with the isoform-selective PKC inhibitor Gö6976 but not by PKC inhibitors that are selective for all PKC isoforms other than PKC-θ. Decreased TER coincided with increased phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chain and with increased proapoptotic signaling indicated by decreased uptake of mitotracker red in response to IL-1β treatment. However, neither of these observed effects were prevented by Gö6976 treatment, indicating lack of causality with respect to decreased TER. Instead, our data indicated that the mechanism of decreased TER involves PKC-θ-dependent phosphorylation of the tight junction protein zona occludens (ZO)-1. Because IL-1β is a central inflammatory mediator, our interpretation is that inhibition of PKC-θ or inhibition of ZO-1 phosphorylation could be viable strategies for preventing blood-brain barrier dysfunction under a variety of neuroinflammatory conditions.
Potential role of the NADPH oxidase NOX1 in the pathogenesis of 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in mice
Authors: Yasuda Masashi , Kato Shinichi , Yamanaka Naoki , Iimori Maho , Utsumi Daichi , Kitahara Yumeno , Iwata Kazumi , Matsuno Kuniharu , Amagase Kikuko , Yabe-Nishimura Chihiro , Takeuchi Koji
Published: March 2012

Although NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) has been shown to be highly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, the physiological and pathophysiological roles of this enzyme are not yet fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of NOX1 in the pathogenesis of intestinal mucositis induced by the cancer chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in mice. Intestinal mucositis was induced in Nox1 knockout (Nox1KO) and littermate wild-type (WT) mice via single, daily administration of 5-FU for 5 days. In WT mice, 5-FU caused severe intestinal mucositis characterized by a shortening of villus height, a disruption of crypts, a loss of body weight, and diarrhea. In Nox1KO mice, however, the severity of mucositis was significantly reduced, particularly with respect to crypt disruption. The numbers of apoptotic caspase-3- and caspase-8-activated cells in the intestinal crypt increased 24 h after the first 5-FU administration but were overall significantly lower in Nox1KO than in WT mice. Furthermore, the 5-FU-mediated upregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and NOX1 and the production of reactive oxygen species were significantly attenuated in Nox1KO mice compared with that in WT mice. These findings suggest that NOX1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. NOX1-derived ROS production following administration of 5-FU may promote the apoptotic response through upregulation of inflammatory cytokines.
Impact of salt on cardiac differential gene expression and coronary lesion in normotensive mineralocorticoid-treated mice
Authors: Wang Qing , Domenighetti Andrea A. , Schäfer Stephan C. , Weber Johanns , Simon Alexandra , Maillard Marc P. , Pedrazzini Thierry , Chen Ju , Lehr Hans-Anton , Burnier Michel
Published: March 2012

We previously reported that excess of deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA)/salt-induced cardiac hypertrophy in the absence of hypertension in one-renin gene mice. This model allows us to study molecular mechanisms of high-salt intake in the development of cardiovascular remodeling, independently of blood pressure in a high mineralocorticoid state. In this study, we compared the effect of 5-wk low- and high-salt intake on cardiovascular remodeling and cardiac differential gene expression in mice receiving the same amount of DOCA. Differential gene and protein expression was measured by high-density cDNA microarray assays, real-time PCR and Western blot analysis in DOCA-high salt (HS) vs. DOCA-low salt (LS) mice. DOCA-HS mice developed cardiac hypertrophy, coronary perivascular fibrosis, and left ventricular dysfunction. Differential gene and protein expression demonstrated that high-salt intake upregulated a subset of genes encoding for proteins involved in inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling (e.g., Col3a1, Col1a2, Hmox1, and Lcn2). A major subset of downregulated genes encoded for transcription factors, including myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD) genes. Our data provide some evidence that vascular remodeling, fibrosis, and inflammation are important consequences of a high-salt intake in DOCA mice. Our study suggests that among the different pathogenic factors of cardiac and vascular remodeling, such as hypertension and mineralocorticoid excess and sodium intake, the latter is critical for the development of the profibrotic and proinflammatory phenotype observed in the heart of normotensive DOCA-treated mice.
Novel role of NF-κB-p65 in antioxidant homeostasis in human kidney-2 cells
Authors: George Liza E. , Lokhandwala Mustafa F. , Asghar Mohammad
Published: March 2012

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a role in inflammation. However, we recently reported an association between NF-κB and antioxidant enzymes in renal proximal tubules of exercise-trained rats, suggesting its role in antioxidant homeostasis (George L, Lokhandwala MF, Asghar M. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 297: F1174–F1180, 2009). A direct role of NF-κB in antioxidant homeostasis in renal cells has not been elucidated and warrants investigation. Therefore, we examined whether NF-κB has a direct role in antioxidant homeostasis and redox balance in human kidney-2 cells overexpressing NF-κB-p65 and compared them with the cells overexpressing Nrf-2, a well-known transcription factor involved in antioxidant homeostasis. The ability of NF-κB-p65 to increase antioxidant enzymes, to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), and to rescue ROS-induced renal dopamine D1 receptor dysfunction, was studied. The transcription activity of NF-κB-p65 and Nrf-2, measured as luciferase reporter activity, increased in cells overexpressing these nuclear factors. The levels of mRNA and activity of glutathione peroxidase as well as the protein levels of superoxide dismutase-1 and glutamylcystein transferase were increased in cells overexpressing NF-κB-p65 and Nrf-2. Furthermore, the levels of ROS decreased and D1 receptor agonist SKF38393-mediated [35S]GTPγS binding (index of D1 receptor function) increased in the presence of hydrogen peroxide in cells overexpressing NF-κB-p65 and Nrf-2. These results suggest a direct role of NF-κB-p65 in antioxidant homeostasis, contributing to redox balance in renal cells.