bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field efficacy and non‐target effects of temephos granules against Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) and microorganisms in septic tanks, Republic of Korea
Authors: KANG Joo‐Oh , JEONG Dong Kwan , LEE Dong‐Kyu , KANG Hyesook , KIARIE‐MAKARA Martha
Published: March 2011

A granular formulation of 1.0% temephos (temephos G) was tested for its efficacy in mosquito larval control, residual effects and effects on non‐target microorganisms. Culex pipiens complex in septic tanks in Yangsan, Republic of Korea were used for this study. Microorganisms in the same septic tanks were used for study of non‐target organisms. After the application of temephos G at the rates of 2.0 and 5.0 mg/L to selected septic tanks, mortalities were recorded for 50 days. The effect of temephos G on non‐target organisms was studied by evaluating its effects on the bacterial populations in the treated septic tanks. It was observed that using 1.0% temephos G at a rate of 2.0 mg/L resulted in 100% mortality against Cx. pipiens larvae by the eighth day after treatment. The residual activity of temephos G was observed to continue for a time; for example 29 days after treatment, average larval mortality rates of >68.0% were observed for both concentrations. At the 50th day after treatment, the mortality rates of the Cx. pipiens larvae were observed to decrease to below 42.7% for both concentrations. Application of temephos G did not have significant effects on the bacteria populations in the septic tanks. Since temephos did not seem to have any major effects on the microorganisms, it was concluded that it is a safe and effective larvicide to use in the septic tanks at a rate of 2.0–5.0 mg/L of 1.0% temephos G.
Sexual dimorphism in lung function responses to acute influenza A infection
Authors: Larcombe Alexander N. , Foong Rachel E. , Bozanich Elizabeth M. , Berry Luke J. , Garratt Luke W. , Gualano Rosa C. , Jones Jessica E. , Dousha Lovisa F. , Zosky Graeme R. , Sly Peter D.
Published: March 2011

Please cite this paper as: Larcombe et al. (2011) Sexual dimorphism in lung function responses to acute influenza A infection. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(5), 334–342.

Background  Males are generally more susceptible to respiratory infections; however, there are few data on the physiological responses to such infections in males and females.

Objectives  To determine whether sexual dimorphism exists in the physiological/inflammatory responses of weanling and adult BALB/c mice to influenza.

Methods  Weanling and adult mice of both sexes were inoculated with influenza A or appropriate control solution. Respiratory mechanics, responsiveness to methacholine (MCh), viral titre and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellular inflammation/cytokines were measured 4 (acute) and 21 (resolution) days post‐inoculation.

Results  Acute infection impaired lung function and induced hyperresponsiveness and cellular inflammation in both sexes at both ages. Males and females responded differently with female mice developing greater abnormalities in tissue damping and elastance and greater MCh responsiveness at both ages. BAL inflammation, cytokines and lung viral titres were similar between the sexes. At resolution, all parameters had returned to baseline levels in adults and weanling males; however, female weanlings had persisting hyperresponsiveness.

Conclusions  We identified significant differences in the physiological responses of male and female mice to infection with influenza A, which occurred in the absence of variation in viral titre and cellular inflammation.
Deviations from Expected Stakeholder Management, Firm Value, and Corporate Governance
Authors: Benson Bradley W. , Davidson III Wallace N. , Wang Hongxia , Worrell Dan L.
Published: March 2011

We propose that high‐quality corporate governance may mitigate agency costs related to value‐destroying investments in stakeholder management (SM). Using an unbalanced panel of 9,051 firm‐year observations for 1,631 firms, we find that deviations from expected stakeholder management (ESM) are increasing in chief executive officer (CEO) portfolio delta. We find, however, that deviations from ESM are negatively related to proxies for effective board monitoring. We also document that the effect of governance mechanisms varies by industry (consumer or industrial orientation) and SM dimension. The results indicate that corporations with good governance pursue shareholder value maximization while constraining unnecessary investment in stakeholders.
The Performance of Private Equity‐Backed IPOs
Authors: Levis Mario
Published: March 2011

My paper examines the aftermarket performance of private equity‐backed initial public offerings (IPOs) and compares it to the performances of equivalent samples of venture capital‐backed and other nonsponsored issues on the London Stock Exchange during the period 1992‐2005. The evidence suggests marked differences across the three groups in terms of market size, industry classification, first‐day returns, and key operating characteristics at the time of flotation. In fact, private equity‐backed IPOs are larger firms in terms of sales and assets, more profitable, and relatively modest first‐day returns. In the three years following the public listing, they display better operating and market performance when compared to other IPOs and the market as a whole.
The retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in glaucomatous hydrophthalmic eyes assessed by scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation in comparison with age‐matched healthy children
Authors: Hložánek Martin , Ošmera Jakub , Ležatková Pavlína , Sedláčková Petra , Filouš Aleš
Published: March 2011

Purpose:  To compare the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in hydrophthalmic glaucomatous eyes in children with age‐matched healthy controls using scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDxVCC).

Methods:  Twenty hydrophthalmic eyes of 20 patients with the mean age of 10.64 ± 3.02 years being treated for congenital or infantile glaucoma were included in the analysis. Evaluation of RNFL thickness measured by GDxVCC in standard Temporal‐Superior‐Nasal‐Inferior‐Temporal (TSNIT) parameters was performed. The results were compared to TSNIT values of an age‐matched control group of 120 healthy children published recently as referential values. The correlation between horizontal corneal diameter and RNFL thickness in hydrophthalmic eyes was also investigated.

Results:  The mean ± SD values in TSNIT Average, Superior Average, Inferior Average and TSNIT SD in hydrophthalmic eyes were 52.3 ± 11.4, 59.7 ± 17.1, 62.0 ± 15.6 and 20.0 ± 7.8 μm, respectively. All these values were significantly lower compared to referential TSNIT parameters of age‐matched healthy eyes (p = 0.021, p = 0.001, p = 0.003 and p = 0.018, respectively). A substantial number of hydrophthalmic eyes laid below the level of 5% probability of normality in respective TSNIT parameters: 30% of the eyes in TSNIT average, 50% of the eyes in superior average, 30% of the eyes in inferior average and 45% of the eyes in TSNIT SD. No significant correlation between enlarged corneal diameter and RNFL thickness was found.

Conclusions:  The mean values of all standard TSNIT parameters assessed using GDxVCC in hydrophthalmic glaucomatous eyes in children were significantly lower in comparison with referential values of healthy age‐matched children.
A 60‐year‐old obese woman with osteoarthritis of the knee: a case‐report
Authors: Christensen P. , Riecke B. F. , Christensen R. , Bliddal H.
Published: March 2011

A case is presented of a 60‐year‐old woman with concomitant obesity and knee osteoarthritis. The bad knees prevented the patient from exercising; however, with a focused dietary intervention employing food supplements for the first period of 8 weeks, an ordinary low‐energy diet for another 8 weeks, the patient lost 17.3 kg; and a further weight loss was achieved during 1‐year follow‐up totalling 30.6 kg. Lean body mass only changed slightly, 96.8% of the weight loss being fat mass. Along with this her metabolic syndrome decreased and her gait improved. It is suggested that a major weight loss is the treatment of choice in patients with this combination of diseases.
Identification of herbal medicinal materials using DNA barcodes
Authors: LI Ming , CAO Hui , BUT Paul Pui‐Hay , SHAW Pang‐Chui
Published: March 2011

Abstract  Herbal medicinal materials have been used worldwide for centuries to maintain health and to treat disease. However, adulteration of herbal medicines remains a major concern of users and industry for reasons of safety and efficacy. Identification of herbal medicinal materials by DNA technology has been widely applied, started from the mid‐1990s. In recent years, DNA barcoding of global plant species using four standard barcodes (rbcL, matK, trnH–psbA and ITS) has been a major focus in the fields of biodiversity and conservation. These DNA barcodes can also be used as reliable tools to facilitate the identification of herbal medicinal materials for the safe use of herbs, quality control, and forensic investigation. Many studies have applied these DNA barcodes for the identification of herbal medicinal species and their adulterants. The present article reviews efforts in the identification of herbal medicinal materials using the standard DNA barcodes and other DNA sequence‐based markers.
Testing four proposed barcoding markers for the identification of species within Ligustrum L. (Oleaceae)
Authors: GU Jing , SU Jun‐Xia , LIN Ruo‐Zhu , LI Rui‐Qi , XIAO Pei‐Gen
Published: March 2011

Abstract  DNA barcoding is a biological technique that uses short and standardized genes or DNA regions to facilitate species identification. DNA barcoding has been used successfully in several animal and plant groups. Ligustrum (Oleaceae) species occur widely throughout the world and are used as medicinal plants in China. Therefore, the accurate identification of species in this genus is necessary. Four potential DNA barcodes, namely the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and three chloroplast (cp) DNA regions (rbcL, matK, and trnH–psbA), were used to differentiate species within Ligustrum. BLAST, character‐based method, tree‐based methods and TAXONDNA analysis were used to investigate the molecular identification capabilities of the chosen markers for discriminating 92 samples representing 20 species of this genus. The results showed that the ITS sequences have the most variable information, followed by trnH–psbA, matK, and rbcL. All sequences of the four regions correctly identified the species at the genus level using BLAST alignment. At the species level, the discriminating power of rbcL, matK, trnH–psbA, and ITS based on neighbor‐joining (NJ) trees was 36.8%, 38.9%, 77.8%, and 80%, respectively. Using character‐based and maximum parsimony (MP) tree methods together, the discriminating ability of trnH–psbA increased to 88.9%. All species could be differentiated using ITS when combining the NJ tree method with character‐based or MP tree methods. Overall, the results indicate that DNA barcoding is an effective molecular identification method for Ligustrum species. We propose the nuclear ribosomal ITS as a plant barcode for plant identification and trnH–psbA as a candidate barcode sequence.
Comparison of the Effects of Ivabradine and Atenolol on Heart Rate and Echocardiographic Variables of Left Heart Function in Healthy Cats
Authors: Riesen S.C. , Schober K.E. , Cervenec R.M. , Bonagura J.D.
Published: March 2011

Background: Ivabradine is a novel negative chronotropic drug used for treatment of ischemic heart disease in people. Little is known about its effects and safety in cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives: Ivabradine is not inferior to atenolol with regard to clinical tolerance, heart rate (HR) reduction, and effects on cardiac function in healthy, lightly sedated cats.

Animals: Ten healthy laboratory cats.

Methods: Physical examination, systolic blood pressure measurement, and transthoracic echocardiography were performed in all cats at baseline and after oral administration (4 weeks each) of ivabradine (0.3 mg/kg q12h) and atenolol (6.25 mg/cat q12h; 1.0–1.7 mg/kg) in a prospective, double‐blind, randomized, active‐control, fully crossed study. A priori noninferiority margins for the effects of ivabradine compared with atenolol were set at 50% (f= 0.5) based on predicted clinical relevance, observer measurement variability, and in agreement with FDA guidelines. Variables were compared by use of 2‐way repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: Ivabradine was clinically well tolerated with no adverse events observed. HR (ivabradine, P < .001; atenolol, P < .001; ivabradine versus atenolol, P= .721) and rate‐pressure product (RPP) (ivabradine, P < .001; atenolol, P= .001; ivabradine versus atenolol, P= .847) were not different between treatments. At the dosages used, ivabradine demonstrated more favorable effects than atenolol on echocardiographic indices of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and left atrial performance.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Ivabradine is not inferior to atenolol with regard to effects on HR, RPP, LV function, left atrial performance, and clinical tolerance. Clinical studies in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are needed to validate these findings.
Retrospective Comparison of the Efficacy of Fluconazole or Itraconazole for the Treatment of Systemic Blastomycosis in Dogs
Authors: Mazepa A.S.W. , Trepanier L.A. , Foy D.S.
Published: March 2011

Background: Itraconazole is recommended for treatment of blastomycosis in dogs. Some evidence suggests that fluconazole might be less hepatotoxic than itraconazole.

Objectives: To compare (1) incidence of clinical remission and death; (2) treatment duration; (3) total drug cost; (4) incidence of relapse; and (5) incidence of increased ALT activities in dogs with blastomycosis treated with fluconazole or itraconazole.

Animals: One hundred and forty‐four dogs with systemic blastomycosis treated with itraconazole or fluconazole from 1998 to 2008.

Methods: Retrospective case review. Information obtained included signalment, body weight, clinical signs, drug regimen, treatment duration, time to clinical remission, and laboratory results.

Results: Neither treatment efficacy between fluconazole (75% remission) and itraconazole (90% remission) nor relapse rate (18% for itraconazole, 22% for fluconazole) was significantly different (P= .13, .75, respectively). Treatment duration was significantly longer for fluconazole (median 183 days) than for itraconazole (138 days; P= .001). Costs for fluconazole (median $1,223) were significantly less than for itraconazole ($3,717; P < .001). Incidence of increased ALT activities was not significantly different between groups (17% [3/18] for fluconazole, 26% [6/23] for itraconazole; P= .71).

Conclusions: Fluconazole is associated with survival to clinical remission in 75% of dogs with blastomycosis. Although dogs receiving fluconazole were treated longer, drug costs were one‐third those of itraconazole. Hepatotoxicosis, as estimated by increases in serum ALT activity, can be observed with similar incidence for both drugs.
Power, Politics, and Political Entrepreneurs: Realising Universal Free Basic Education in Indonesia
Authors: Rosser Andrew , Joshi Anuradha , Edwin Donni
Published: March 2011

Several developing countries have recently introduced policies supporting universal basic free education (UFBE). Experience suggests such policies often fail to increase access and quality of education, and illegal fees are widely prevalent. The literature identifies several reasons including the lack of replacement funding in place of fees and the loss of quality due to overcrowding and subsequent high drop‐out rates. This paper, using evidence from Indonesia's experience, argues that the underlying problem is political. We suggest that fee‐free education is an attainable goal, but only if pro‐UFBE coalitions are empowered to influence policy, demand accountability and seek redress against illegal fees.
The Politics and Policy of Aid in Spain
Authors: de la Iglesia‐Caruncho Manuel
Published: March 2011

Spanish aid policy is changing: official development assistance (ODA) doubled between 2004 and 2008 reaching almost €5 billion annually (ODA/GDP 0.45 per cent). At the same time ODA disbursements to United Nations organisations increased 23 times and the Spanish–UNDP Fund was set up to move Millennium Goals forward with €528 million. The Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) is now a state agency with more autonomy and a Managerial Contract with measurable objectives, some of them related to aid effectiveness. Moreover, despite the economic crisis, spending on ODA increased slightly in 2009–10, although the Spanish government has announced aid cuts for 2011. What factors explain these changes? Was it just a new foreign policy when the Socialist party won the election in 2004? Was there an agreement within the government to develop a new aid policy? Are factors of change still impacting on aid improvements or have they diminished or even vanished?

This paper tries to answer these and other relevant questions, such as how Spanish aid policy is likely to evolve over the coming years, what changes must Spain carry out to approach or even draw level with the more advanced donors and which lessons might be relevant to other aid donors, especially to the bilateral newcomers and emerging donors.

After a brief reflection on aid effectiveness, the paper analyses the politics of aid in Spain, the changes that have improved Spanish aid effectiveness in recent years and the main dilemmas and challenges which are still waiting to be resolved. It focuses on traditionally selected areas of assessment in development policy and goes beyond, taking into account the political economy of aid, analysing its actors and their different interests.
Honey bee risk assessment: new approaches for in vitro larvae rearing and data analyses
Authors: Hendriksma Harmen P. , Härtel Stephan , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: March 2011

1. To sustain the vital ecosystem service of pollination, new methodical developments are needed for research on the underlying factors of globally observed bee losses. In particular, robust laboratory methods for assessing adverse effects on honey bee brood are required. In addition, from a statistical point of view, the shared origin of test individuals must be considered when analysing ecotoxicological data.

2. To improve honey bee in vitro rearing, we adopted a nongrafting method to collect honey bee larvae without direct manipulation. Linear mixed effects model to evaluate LD50, larvae survival and prepupae weights integrated the colony background of larvae as a random factor into the statistical analyses. The novel rearing approach and appropriate statistical tools for data analyses are illustrated in an in vitro case study on acute oral dimethoate toxicity.

3. We recommend our honey bee larvae collection approach for in vitro larvae‐rearing applications, because of (i) a mere 3% background mortality upon the prepupae stage, (ii) a high quantitative capacity and (iii) because of robustness of performance which are great benefits for standardization.

4. The analyses indicate clear adverse effects of dimethoate by a significant survival reduction and prepupae weight reduction. For second instars, the acute 48‐h LD50 was 1·67 μg dimethoate per larva.

5. We conclude that both our larvae collection method and the applied statistical approaches will help to improve the quality of environmental risk assessment studies on honey bees, to secure honey bee pollination and to sustain biodiversity.
Improving prediction and management of range expansions by combining analytical and individual‐based modelling approaches
Authors: Travis Justin M. J. , Harris Catriona M , Park Kirsty J. , Bullock James M.
Published: March 2011

1. Improving the understanding, prediction and management of range expansions is a key challenge for ecology. Over recent years, there has been a rapid increase in modelling effort focussed on range expansions and a shift from predominantly theoretical developments towards application. This is especially the case in the field of invasion biology and also in relation to reintroductions and species’ responses to climate change.

2. While earlier models were exclusively analytical, individual‐based models (IBMs) are now increasingly widely used. We argue that instead of being viewed as competing methodologies, analytical and individual‐based methods can valuably be used in conjunction.

3. We use a mechanistic wind dispersal model to generate age‐specific dispersal kernels for the invasive shrub, Rhododendron ponticum. To demonstrate the utility of employing both modelling approaches, this information along with demographic parameters is incorporated into an IBM and an analytical, integrodifference model. From both models, the equilibrium rate of spread is calculated.

4. Estimates of wavespeeds were similar for the two models, although slower rates of spread were consistently projected by the IBM. Further, our results demonstrate the wavespeed to be sensitive to the characterisation of age structure in the model; when few age classes are used, much higher rates of spread are projected.

5. The analytical model is extremely efficient at providing elasticity analysis of the wavespeed, which can provide helpful information for management. We gain qualitatively similar results using the IBM but obtaining the results is time‐consuming and, because the model is stochastic, they are noisy and harder to interpret. We argue that analytically derived transient elasticity analyses are needed for the many cases where success of control is measured on a relatively short time horizon.

6. To demonstrate the flexibility of the IBM approach, we run it on a real landscape comprising different habitat types. The comparison of two different control scenarios is an example of the utility of this approach for more tactical applications.

7. As a general conclusion of the study, we emphasise that analytical and individual‐based approaches offer different, but complementary, advantages and suggest how their joint use can facilitate the improvement in biodiversity management at a range of spatial scales.
Scarring for quantum maps with simple spectrum
Authors: Kelmer Dubi
Published: March 2011

In [Kelmer, Scarring on invariant manifolds for perturbed quantized hyperbolic toral automorphisms, Comm. Math. Phys. 276 (2007), 381–395] we introduced a family of symplectic maps of the torus whose quantization exhibits scarring on invariant co-isotropic submanifolds. The purpose of this note is to show that in contrast to other examples, where failure of quantum unique ergodicity is attributed to high multiplicities in the spectrum, for these examples the spectrum is (generically) simple.
Effect of Material Physical Properties on Residual Stress Measurement by EDM Hole-Drilling Method
Authors: Lee H. T. , Tai T. Y. , Liu C. , Hsu F. C. , Hsu J. M.
Published: March 2011

When measuring the residual stress within a component using the electrical discharge machining (EDM) strain-gage method, a metallurgical transformation layer is formed on the wall of the measurement hole. This transformation layer induces an additional residual stress and therefore introduces a measurement error. In this study, it is shown that given an appropriate set of machining conditions, this measurement error can be compensated directly using a calibration stress factor σcal computed in accordance with the properties of the workpiece material. It is shown that for EDM machining conditions of 120 V/12 A/6 μs/30 μs (discharge voltage/pulse current/pulse-on duration/pulse-off duration), the hole-drilling induced stress reduces with an increasing thermal conductivity (k) in accordance with the relation σcal=325.5k−0.65 MPa and increases linearly with an increasing carbon equivalent (CE) in accordance with σcal=7.6×(CE)+22.4 MPa. Therefore, a given knowledge of the thermal conductivity coefficient or carbon equivalent of the workpiece material, an accurate value of the true residual stress within a component can be obtained simply by subtracting the computed value of the calibration stress from the stress value obtained in accordance with the EDM hole-drilling strain-gage method prescribed in ASTM E837.
Evaluating the Machinability of Inconel 718 Using Polar Diagrams
Authors: Avdovic Pajazit , Xu Linhong , Andersson Mats , Ståhl Jan-Eric
Published: March 2011

The use of a polar diagram method for describing and evaluating the machinability of Inconel 718 was explored. Five key parameters of the work material, representing the mechanical and physical properties, which have the strongest influence on its machinability, were employed in the diagrams. These five parameters were integrated into a single polar diagram, used to describe the machinability of Inconel 718. Variations in the machinability of Inconel 718 products or components of a given type produced in different batches were analyzed. Industrial experiments were conducted to test the relationship between the polar diagram of the work material, its carbon content, and the tool wear of the ceramic cutting tools used in machining it. Work materials of Inconel 718 in which the polar diagrams of machinability were similar in size and shape exhibited very similar behavior during the cutting process. The polar diagram method employed appeared to be useful for selecting suitable cutting data for the machining of new materials.
Ambient Temperature Creep of Type 304 Stainless Steel
Authors: Kassner M. E. , Geantil P. , Rosen R. S.
Published: March 2011

This study reports the significant ambient temperature creep plasticity at stresses below the conventional 0.2% plastic strain off-set yield stress. This is partially due to the relatively high strain-rate sensitivity of 304 stainless steel. Cold-working significantly increases the creep resistance. Descriptive equations that predict low-stress creep plasticity, which are somewhat different than traditional creep-equation forms, are presented.
Comparison of Iterative Methods for the Solution of Compressible-Fluid Reynolds Equation
Authors: Wang Nenzi , Chang Shih-Hung , Huang Hua-Chih
Published: March 2011

This study presents an efficacy comparison of iterative solution methods for solving the compressible-fluid Reynolds equation in modeling air- or gas-lubricated bearings. A direct fixed-point iterative (DFI) method and Newton’s method are employed to transform the Reynolds equation in a form that can be solved iteratively. The iterative solution methods examined are the Gauss–Seidel method, the successive over-relaxation (SOR) method, the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method, and the multigrid method. The overall solution time is affected by both the transformation method and the iterative method applied. In this study, Newton’s method shows its effectiveness over the straightforward DFI method when the same iterative method is used. It is demonstrated that the use of an optimal relaxation factor is of vital importance for the efficiency of the SOR method. The multigrid method is an order faster than the PCG and optimal SOR methods. Also, the multigrid and PCG methods involve an extended coding work and are less flexible in dealing with gridwork and boundary conditions. Consequently, a compromise has to be made in terms of ease of use as well as programming effort for the solution of the compressible-fluid Reynolds equation.
Enhanced normal incidence photocurrent in quantum dot infrared photodetectors
Authors: Shao Jiayi , Vandervelde Thomas E. , Barve Ajit , Jang Woo-Yong , Stintz Andreas , Krishna Sanjay
Published: March 2011

The authors report an enhancement in the photocurrent caused by normal incidence (s-polarization) radiation in a quantum dot-in-a-well (DWELL) based infrared photodetector. The s-to-p polarization ratio was increased to 50%, compared to the 20% in conventional quantum dot (QD) detectors. This improvement was achieved through engineering the dot geometry and the quantum confinement via postgrowth capping materials of the QDs. The effect of the capping procedures was determined by examining the dot geometry using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and s-to-p ratio of the polarized photocurrent in the DWELL infrared photodetector. The TEM image shows a quantum dot with a reduced base of 12 nm and an increased height of 8 nm. The infrared photodetector fabricated from this material shows peak photodetectivities of 1×109 cm Hz1/2/W at 77 K for a peak wavelength of 4.8 μm and 1×107 cm Hz1/2/W at 300 K for a peak wavelength of 3.2 μm. The dark current density is as low as 2×10−4 A/cm2 and the photoconductive gain is 100 at the optimal operating bias.
In situ real time Auger analyses during oxides and alloy growth using a new spectrometer design
Authors: Staib Philippe G.
Published: March 2011

A new Auger electron spectrometer probe designed to monitor the surface composition during growth is presented. The device is able to operate without impairing the deposition process and is compatible with the environmental constraints of deposition chambers. Auger electron excitation can be generated by the electron beam used for reflection high energy electron diffraction studies, thus allowing simultaneous elemental and structural sample analyses. The Auger probe is mounted using one of the ports facing the sample, preferably at normal incidence angle. The distance between the sample surface and analyzer is large enough to clear the fluxes of material from multiple deposition sources commonly used in growth chambers. The probe has a variable energy resolution that can be electronically adjusted and can be set for higher sensitivity and shorter acquisition time or for better energy resolution. Examples of applications are shown to illustrate the capabilities of the instrument. In one example, the growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) layers is monitored during the deposition and in the other example, the stoichiometry of the lanthanide alloys (dysprosium and terbium) is deduced from the variation of the Auger MNN lines for pure elements and alloyed layers. In addition to AES, the probe provides reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy spectra of the distribution of characteristic energy losses.
Microstructured platforms to study nanotube-mediated long-distance cell-to-cell connections
Authors: Abel Marcus P. , Riese Sigrid R. , Schlicker Oliver , Bukoreshtliev Nickolay V. , Gerdes Hans-Hermann , Spatz Joachim P. , Rustom Amin
Published: March 2011

Recently, numerous innovative approaches have attempted to overcome the shortcomings of standard tissue culturing by providing custom-tailored substrates with superior features. In particular, tunable surface chemistry and topographical micro- and nanostructuring have been highlighted as potent effectors to control cell behavior. Apart from tissue engineering and the development of biosensors and diagnostic assays, the need for custom-tailored platform systems is accentuated by a variety of complex and poorly characterized biological processes. One of these processes is cell-to-cell communication mediated by tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), the reliable statistical analysis of which is consistently hampered by critical dependencies on various experimental factors, such as cell singularization, spacing, and alignment. Here, the authors developed a microstructured platform based on a combination of controlled surface chemistry along with topographic parameters, which permits the controllable attachment of different cell types to complementary patterns of cell attracting/nonattracting surface domains and—as a consequence—represents a standardized analysis tool to approach a wide range of biological questions. Apart from the technical complementation of mainstream applications, the developed surfaces could successfully be used to statistically determine TNT-based intercellular connection processes as they are occurring in standard as well as primary cell cultures.
La0.6Sr0.4Co1-yFeyO3-δ Powders Studied by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Poletto Fabio , Natile Marta Maria , Galenda Alessandro , Glisenti Antonella
Published: March 2011

Perovskite-type oxides, ABO3, are known to be very good oxidation catalysts. The redox properties of the B cation, the availability of weakly bonded oxygen at the surface and the presence of lattice defects have been often claimed as responsible for their catalytic activity. Moreover, their performances can be improved if they are nanodimensioned. The present study focuses on the development of new LaCoO3-based catalysts for alcohol (such as methanol, ethanol) steam reforming. Several La0.6Sr0.4Co1-yFeyO3-δ (y=0.2, 0.5, 0.8) were prepared by the citrate gel method and calcined at 1073 K for 5 h in air. Herein, the influence of the cobalt/iron ratio on the surface properties was investigated.
Chironomic stylization of intonation
Authors: d’Alessandro Christophe , Rilliard Albert , Le Beux Sylvain
Published: March 2011

Intonation stylization is studied using “chironomy,” i.e., the analogy between hand gestures and prosodic movements. An intonation mimicking paradigm is used. The task of the ten subjects is to copy the intonation pattern of sentences with the help of a stylus on a graphic tablet, using a system for real-time manual intonation modification. Gestural imitation is compared to vocal imitation of the same sentences (seven for a male speaker, seven for a female speaker). Distance measures between gestural copies, vocal imitations, and original sentences are computed for performance assessment. Perceptual testing is also used for assessing the quality of gestural copies. The perceptual difference between natural and stylized contours is measured using a mean opinion score paradigm for 15 subjects. The results indicate that intonation contours can be stylized with accuracy by chironomic imitation. The results of vocal imitation and chironomic imitation are comparable, but subjects show better imitation results in vocal imitation. The best stylized contours using chironomy seems perceptually indistinguishable or almost indistinguishable from natural contours, particularly for female speech. This indicates that chironomic stylization is effective, and that hand movements can be analogous to intonation movements.
A lumped mucosal wave model of the vocal folds revisited: Recent extensions and oscillation hysteresis
Authors: Lucero Jorge C. , Koenig Laura L. , Lourenço Kelem G. , Ruty Nicolas , Pelorson Xavier
Published: March 2011

This paper examines an updated version of a lumped mucosal wave model of the vocal fold oscillation during phonation. Threshold values of the subglottal pressure and the mean (DC) glottal airflow for the oscillation onset are determined. Depending on the nonlinear characteristics of the model, an oscillation hysteresis phenomenon may occur, with different values for the oscillation onset and offset threshold. The threshold values depend on the oscillation frequency, but the occurrence of the hysteresis is independent of it. The results are tested against pressure data collected from a mechanical replica of the vocal folds, and oral airflow data collected from speakers producing intervocalic /h/. In the human speech data, observed differences between voice onset and offset may be attributed to variations in voice pitch, with a very small or inexistent hysteresis phenomenon.
Kurtosis corrected sound pressure level as a noise metric for risk assessment of occupational noises
Authors: Goley G. Steven , Song Won Joon , Kim Jay H.
Published: March 2011

Current noise guidelines use an energy-based noise metric to predict the risk of hearing loss, and thus ignore the effect of temporal characteristics of the noise. The practice is widely considered to underestimate the risk of a complex noise environment, where impulsive noises are embedded in a steady-state noise. A basic form for noise metrics is designed by combining the equivalent sound pressure level (SPL) and a temporal correction term defined as a function of kurtosis of the noise. Several noise metrics are developed by varying this basic form and evaluated utilizing existing chinchilla noise exposure data. It is shown that the kurtosis correction term significantly improves the correlation of the noise metric with the measured hearing losses in chinchillas. The average SPL of the frequency components of the noise that define the hearing loss with a kurtosis correction term is identified as the best noise metric among tested. One of the investigated metrics, the kurtosis-corrected A-weighted SPL, is applied to a human exposure study data as a preview of applying the metrics to human guidelines. The possibility of applying the noise metrics to human guidelines is discussed.
Scattering of ultrasonic shock waves in suspensions of silica nanoparticles
Authors: Baudoin Michael , Thomas Jean-Louis , Coulouvrat François , Chanéac Corinne
Published: March 2011

Experiments are carried out to assess, for the first time, the validity of a generalized Burgers’ equation, introduced first by Davidson [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 54, 1331–1342 (1973)] to compute the nonlinear propagation of finite amplitude acoustical waves in suspensions of “rigid” particles. Silica nanoparticles of two sizes (33 and 69 nm) have been synthesized in a water–ethanol mixture and precisely characterized via electron microscopy. An acoustical beam of high amplitude is generated at 1 MHz inside a water tank, leading to the formation of acoustical shock waves through nonlinear steepening. The signal is then measured after propagation in a cylinder containing either a reference solution or suspensions of nanoparticles. In this way, a “nonlinear attenuation” is obtained and compared to the numerical solution of a generalized Burgers’ equation adapted to the case of hydrosols. An excellent agreement (corresponding to an error on the particles size estimation of 3 nm) is achieved in the frequency range from 1 to 40 MHz. Both visco-inertial and thermal scattering are significant in the present case, whereas thermal effects can generally be neglected for most hydrosols. This is due to the value of the specific heat ratio of water–ethanol mixture which significantly differs from unity.
A real-time plane-wave decomposition algorithm for characterizing perforated liners damping at multiple mode frequencies
Authors: Zhao Dan
Published: March 2011

Perforated liners with a narrow frequency range are widely used as acoustic dampers to stabilize combustion systems. When the frequency of unstable modes present in the combustion system is within the effective frequency range, the liners can efficiently dissipate acoustic waves. The fraction of the incident waves being absorbed (known as power absorption coefficient) is generally used to characterize the liners damping. To estimate it, plane waves either side of the liners need to be decomposed and characterized. For this, a real-time algorithm is developed. Emphasis is being placed on its ability to online decompose plane waves at multiple mode frequencies. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated first in a numerical model with two unstable modes. It is then experimentally implemented in an acoustically driven pipe system with a lined section attached. The acoustic damping of perforated liners is continuously characterized in real-time. Comparison is then made between the results from the algorithm and those from the short-time fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based techniques, which are typically used in industry. It was found that the real-time algorithm allows faster tracking of the liners damping, even when the forcing frequency was suddenly changed.
Age effects in discrimination of repeating sequence intervals
Authors: Fitzgibbons Peter J. , Gordon-Salant Sandra
Published: March 2011

The study measured listener sensitivity to increments in the inter-onset intervals (IOIs) of successive 20-ms 4000-Hz tone bursts in isochronous sequences. The stimulus sequences contained two-six tone bursts, separated equally by silent intervals, with tonal IOIs ranging from 25 to 100 ms. Difference limens (DLs) for increments of the tonal IOIs were measured to assess listener sensitivity to changes of sequence rate. Comparative DLs were also measured for increments of a single interval located within six-tone isochronous sequences with different tone rates. Listeners included younger normal-hearing adults and two groups of older adults with and without high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The results, expressed as Weber fractions (DL/IOI), revealed that discrimination improved as the sequence tone rate decreased and the number of tonal components increased. Discrimination of a single sequence interval also improved as the number of sequence components increased from two to six but only for brief intervals and fast sequence rates. Discrimination performance of the older listeners with and without hearing loss was equivalent and significantly poorer than that of the younger listeners. The discrimination results are examined and discussed within the context of multiple-look mechanisms and possible age-related differences in the sensory coding of signal onsets.
Effect of cognitive load on articulation rate and formant frequencies during simulator flights
Authors: Huttunen Kerttu H. , Keränen Heikki I. , Pääkkönen Rauno J. , Päivikki Eskelinen-Rönkä R. , Leino Tuomo K.
Published: March 2011

It was explored how three types of intensive cognitive load typical of military aviation (load on situation awareness, information processing, or decision-making) affect speech. The utterances of 13 male military pilots were recorded during simulated combat flights. Articulation rate was calculated from the speech samples, and the first formant (F1) and second formant (F2) were tracked from first-syllable short vowels in pre-defined phoneme environments. Articulation rate was found to correlate negatively (albeit with low coefficients) with loads on situation awareness and decision-making but not with changes in F1 or F2. Changes were seen in the spectrum of the vowels: mean F1 of front vowels usually increased and their mean F2 decreased as a function of cognitive load, and both F1 and F2 of back vowels increased. The strongest associations were seen between the three types of cognitive load and F1 and F2 changes in back vowels. Because fluent and clear radio speech communication is vital to safety in aviation and temporal and spectral changes may affect speech intelligibility, careful use of standard aviation phraseology and training in the production of clear speech during a high level of cognitive load are important measures that diminish the probability of possible misunderstandings.
Acoustical characterization of perforated facings
Authors: Jaouen L. , Bécot F.-X.
Published: March 2011

An experimental method to estimate the acoustical parameters of perforated facings used for noise control applications is proposed. These perforating facings (also called screens) can be woven or non-woven fabrics or even micro-perforated plates (MPP). Following the work by Atalla and Sgard [J. Sound Vib. 303, 195–208 (2007)], the perforated facings are modeled as porous media composed with identical cylindrical perforations of circular cross-section. The acoustical parameters characterized with the proposed method are the radius of the perforations and the perforation rate (also named the open-porosity). These parameters are obtained from analytical expressions and a single measurement of the normal acoustic surface impedance of the perforated facing backed by an air cavity in a standing wave tube. The value of the static air flow resistivity can also be recovered with no additional assumption or measurement. In the case of a facing that contains perforations of an arbitrary shape, the radius parameter should be understood as a characteristic length of the visco-inertial dissipative effects. Results for two characterization examples (a low porosity screen and a high porosity one) are presented and discussed. Values of the estimated static air flow resistivity are compared with the results from direct measurements. Values of the predicted sound absorption coefficients are compared to the measured ones.
Evaluation of a nationally disseminated self-help intervention for smoking cessation (‘Quit Kit’): Table 1
Authors: Ussher Michael , Chambers Melanie , Adams Ryan , Croghan Emma , Murray Rachael
Published: March 2011

Objective

To assess the extent of uptake and impact of a nationally disseminated self-help intervention for smoking cessation (‘Quit Kit’).

Methods

The kit contained practical tools for supporting quit attempts. Of 480 000 individuals receiving the kit, telephone interviews were conducted with 2347 randomly selected individuals. Interviews assessed the impact of the kit on smoking behaviours and on attitudes to the intervention and to health service support.

Results

The majority of interviewees reported the kit as being helpful for stopping smoking (61%) and agreed that, having received the kit, they would be more likely to consider the National Health Service for help with quitting (84%). Younger interviewees were significantly more likely to report the kit as helpful, to say they would recommend it to others and to agree that it increased their confidence in quitting (all p≤0.001). As a result of receiving the kit, 29%, 17% and 11% of interviewees, respectively, reported visiting their doctor, pharmacist or stop-smoking service for help with quitting. The kit was reported to have triggered a quit attempt among around half (57%) of those receiving it. When only including those who had received the kit at least 1 month prior to interview, 26.5% (126/475) of those attempting to quit reported remaining completely abstinent from smoking for at least a month.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that distributing a self-help intervention for smoking cessation at a national level may be successful in terms of uptake of the intervention, triggering quit attempts and aiding smoking cessation.
Late Ordovician conodont biostratigraphy and redefinition of the age of oil shale intervals on Southampton IslandEarth Science Sector Contribution 20100054.
Authors: Zhang Shunxin
Published: March 2011

Southampton Island was located on the north margin of the Hudson Bay Basin, one of the largest Paleozoic sedimentary basins in North America. The Upper Ordovician sequence on the island includes the Bad Cache Rapids and Churchill River groups and the Red Head Rapids Formation; the latter contains three oil shale intervals in its lower part, which may have significant potential as hydrocarbon source rocks, but their precise biostratigraphic position remains unclear. Numerous conodont elements from 14 localities allow establishment of four interval zones throughout the Upper Ordovician on Southampton Island: the Belodina confluens and Pseudobelodina v. vulgaris zones in the Bad Cache Rapids Group, which are correlative to the upper Edenian – lowest Richmondian Stage; the Amorphognathus ordovicicus Zone from the uppermost Bad Cache Rapids Group to the top of Churchill River Group to the lower Richmondian Stage; and the Rhipidognathus symmetricus Zone in the Red Head Rapids Formation to the upper Richmondian Stage. The oil shale intervals in the lower Red Head Rapids Formation exposed at Cape Donavan, Sixteen Mile Brook, and Boas River on Southampton Island are correlated with the lower R. symmetricus Zone of the upper Richmondian Stage, not the Maysvillian–Richmondian Stage as previous interpreted. The “Boas River shale” and “Sixteen Mile Brook shale” biostratigraphically and lithostratigraphically equate to the Cape Donovan lower and middle oil shale intervals, respectively. The conodont data and continuous sections across the boundaries between the different lithostratigraphic units have proved the presence of Maysvillian strata on Southampton Island, rather than absence as previously interpreted.