bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,3‐Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with symmetrical tri‐ and polycyclic strained olefins
Authors: Darvatkar Nitin B. , Wankhede Karuna S. , Bhilare Sachin V. , Deorukhkar Amol R. , Raut Dilip G. , Vaidya Vipraja V. , Trivedi Girish K. , Salunkhe Manikrao M.
Published: June 2010

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1,3‐Dipolar cycloadditions of benzonitrile oxide and carbethoxyformonitrile oxide (CEFNO) with various facially perturbed polycyclic symmetrical dienophiles (1, 1a, 1b, 2, 2a, 2b, 3, 3b, 4, 5, 6) were investigated. Cycloadditions took place chemoselectively at the norbornyl double bond and were found to be exclusively exo. Cycloadditions of benzonitrile oxide with dienophiles 4 and 5 led to mixture of inseparable products, however, that with CEFNO gave single products. Cycloadduct of dienophile 5 with CEFNO was found to be unstable, and it readily isomerized to more stable aromatic form. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).
Improving corrosion resistance of Al‐11mass%Si alloy through a large number of ECAP passes
Authors: Jiang J.‐H. , Ma A.‐B. , Lu F.‐M. , Saito N. , Watazu A. , Song D. , Zhang P. , Nishida Y.
Published: June 2010

Ultrafine‐grained (UFG) Al‐11mass%Si alloy, processed by multi‐pass equal‐channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 573 K, was investigated on corrosion behavior in 0.6 M NaCl solution. Potentiodynamic polarization tests and scanning electron microscopy observation showed that a large number of ECAP passes resulted in lower corrosion current density, more positive corrosion potential, and rather smooth corroded surface with shallow corrosion pits. The uniform distribution of fine secondary‐phase particles on UFG Al matrix weakened the susceptibility to pitting corrosion while inhibited general microgalvanic reactions. The present results indicate that grain refinement of aluminum matrix to the UFG state and uniform redistribution of broken particles (including eutectic silicon and secondary phases), via severe plastic deformation at elevated temperature undergoing dynamic recrystallization, can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of Al alloys, besides the known exceptional mechanical advantages. The simple and effective ECAP procedure makes UFG Al alloys more attractive for high strength structural application in corrosive environment.
Transformation of green rust (Cl−) into different oxyhydroxides in aqueous solution containing molybdenum ions
Authors: Nagata F. , Inoue K. , Fujieda S. , Shinoda K. , Suzuki S. , Tsuri S.
Published: June 2010

To investigate the influence of the addition of molybdenum ions on the transformation of green rust GR(Cl−) comprising Fe(II) and Fe(III) into different oxyhydroxides, suspensions of GR(Cl−) containing molybdenum ions were oxidized by passing nitrogen gas containing oxygen through the suspensions. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) was used for identifying the solid particles formed by oxidation. The results showed that in the presence of molybdenum ions, the formation of β‐FeOOH and α‐FeOOH was enhanced as compared to that of γ‐FeOOH in the GR(Cl−) suspensions. This implied that the molybdenum ions interacted with the chloride ions obtained from GR(Cl−) and induced the formation of β‐FeOOH that contained chloride ions. Transmission electron micrographs of the solid particles showed that the particle size of the resulting oxyhydroxides was considerably reduced because of the addition of the molybdenum ions. The pH and oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) of the aqueous solution were also measured during the oxidation. The addition of molybdenum ions was found to cause characteristic changes in the pH and ORP in the initial stage of the oxidation.
Evaluation of corrosion behaviour in a 317L stainless steel strip welding using scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy
Authors: Sathirachinda N. , Wessman S. , Pettersson R.
Published: June 2010

Scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy and magnetic force microscopy have been used in combination with SEM/EDS and immersion tests to study a 317L electroslag strip weld which contains austenite and interdendritic ferrite and sigma phase. The individual phases can easily be recognized from the compositional contrast, magnetic pattern and Volta potential variation. Austenite, which is paramagnetic, exhibits the highest Volta potential followed by non‐magnetic sigma phase and ferromagnetic ferrite, respectively. Corrosion testing in acidic chloride solutions indicates that the Volta potential measured in air can be related to the tendency to uniform corrosion, while pitting corrosion shows different dependence. In both cases ferrite and sigma phase behaved in a similar manner, indicating that there was no specific detrimental effect of sigma phase on corrosion properties in this material.
Utilizing Arghel extract as corrosion inhibitor for reinforced steel in concrete
Authors: Abdel‐Gaber A. M. , Khamis E. , Hefnawy A.
Published: June 2010

Inhibition of the corrosion of reinforced steel in concrete in 0.5 M NaCl by Arghel extract has been studied employing different electrochemical techniques in conjunction with optical images photo. Potential‐time measurements showed that introducing of Arghel extract into concrete shifts the potential of reinforced steel to more positive values. Potentiodynamic polarization curves measurements manifested that Arghel extract acts as anodic type inhibitor. Nyquist plots were characterized by a distinct charge transfer and diffusion components. A proposed equivalent circuit was used to analyze the impedance spectra of reinforced steel in concrete in 0.5 M NaCl. Optical images for the cracked lollipops samples of the reinforced steel in concrete that is immersed in 0.5 M NaCl for 18 months showed no corrosion attack even in the presence of a low concentration of Arghel which is in good agreement with the results obtained from the electrochemical techniques.
Flame retardancy mechanisms of poly(1,4‐butylene terephthalate) containing microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate and melamine cyanurate
Authors: Yang Wei , Lu Hongdian , Tai Qilong , Qiao Zhihua , Hu Yuan , Song Lei , Yuen Richard K. K.
Published: June 2010

The flame retardancy mechanisms of poly(1,4‐butylene terephthalate) (PBT) containing microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MAPP) and melamine cyanurate (MC) were investigated via pyrolysis analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), real‐time Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), TG‐IR), cone calorimeter test, combustion tests (limited oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94), and residue analysis (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). A loading of 20 wt% MC to PBT gave the PBT composites an LOI of 26%, V‐2 classification in UL‐94 test and a high peak heat release rate (HRR) in cone calorimeter test. Adding APP to PBT/MC composites did not improve their flame retardancy. In comparison with the addition of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to PBT, MAPP with silica gel shell and MAPP with polyurethane shell both promoted the intumescent char‐forming and improved the flame retardancy of PBT through different mechanisms in the presence of MC. These two halogen‐free PBT composites with V‐0 classification according to UL‐94 test were obtained; their LOI were 32 and 33%, respectively. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cooperativity in benzotriazole–amine complexes: allosteric tuning of molecular recognition interfaces
Authors: Zonta Cristiano , De Lucchi Ottorino , Motterle Riccardo , Serafini Siro
Published: June 2010

Benzotriazole forms with amines stable complexes that in some cases separate spontaneously as crystals from solutions of polar organic solvents. The stoichiometries and the binding constants of these complexes have been determined by 1H NMR analysis in deuterochloroform. The quantitative analysis of the equilibria involved in the complexation process sheds light on the behaviour of benzotriazoles in solutions and gives an estimate of the influence of allosteric effects when multiple interactions are present. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel modulation factor quantifies the role of water molecules in protein interactions
Authors: Bueno Marta , Temiz Nuri A. , Camacho Carlos J.
Published: June 2010

Water molecules decrease the potential of mean force of a hydrogen bond (H‐bond), as well as modulate (de)solvation forces, but exactly how much has not been easy to determine. Crystallographic water molecules provide snapshots of optimal solutions for the role of solvent in protein interactions, information that is often ignored by implicit solvent models. Motivated by high‐resolution crystal structures, we describe a simple quantitative approach to explicitly incorporate the role of molecular water in protein interactions. Applications to protein–DNA interactions show that the accuracy of binding free‐energy estimates improves significantly if a distinction is made between H‐bonds that are desolvated (or only contact crystal waters), solvated by mobile waters trapped at the binding interface, or partially solvated through connections to bulk water. These different environments are modeled by a unique “water” scaling factor that decreases or increases the strength of hydrogen bonds depending on whether water contacts the acceptor or donor atoms or the bond is fully desolvated, respectively. Our empirical energies are fully consistent with mobile water molecules having a strong polarization effect in direct intermolecular interactions. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytotoxic action of Ganoderma lucidum on interleukin‐3 dependent lymphoma DA‐1 cells: involvement of apoptosis proteins
Authors: Calviño Eva , Pajuelo Lucía , de Eribe Casas Jon A. Ochoa , Manjón José Luis , Tejedor M. Cristina , Herráez Angel , Alonso Manuel Díez , Diez José C.
Published: June 2010

Aqueous extracts and a semipurified fraction obtained by methanol extraction and column chromatography were isolated from Ganoderma lucidum [Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst.; Ganodermataceae Donk] and their effects on interleukin 3‐dependent lymphoma cells (DA‐1) were studied. Cell viability was reduced by the action of unboiled aqueous extract and by the methanol‐extracted column‐chromatography semipurified fraction, producing DNA fragmentation in DA‐1 cells. Treatments with aqueous extracts showed increments of Bax after 13 h, increments of p53 and Mdm2 after 19 h and a reduction of these three proteins after 24 h. The methanol‐extracted semipurified fraction also induced increments of p53 and Mdm2 factors at 19 h with a reduction after 24 h. The methanol‐extracted column‐chromatography semipurified fraction from Ganoderma lucidum produced minor changes in the level of Akt after treatments for 19 h in DA‐1 cells with a slight reduction in the levels of NFkB‐p65 factor. Both the unboiled aqueous extract and the methanol‐extracted column‐chromatography semipurified fraction produced cleavage of inactive caspase 3, as a clear indication of induction of apoptosis by compounds present in Ganoderma lucidum. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The intra‐alliance division of value created through collaboration
Authors: Adegbesan J. Adetunji , Higgins Matthew J.
Published: June 2010

The differential benefits reaped by individual partners are a major determinant of the impact of strategic alliances on firm performance and an important (dis)incentive for alliance partners to collaborate in value creation. Theoretically, we lack an explicit theory of intra‐alliance value division; empirically, previous analysis has been hampered by methodological challenges. We propose a bargaining framework for intra‐alliance value appropriation, as well as a measure for capturing its variation. We test our hypotheses on a sample of 200 biotechnology R&D alliances, and are able to explain variation in value appropriation across alliance partners, partner types, and individual firms of each type. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of a Singlet Lens and the Corresponding Aberration Correction Approaches for Cell Phone Camera
Authors: Zhang Yupeng , Ueda Toshitsugu
Published: June 2010

A singlet lens model that is designed for future cell phone camera is discussed. The proposed lens model unavoidably introduces significant optical aberration because of its high field angle (maximum field angle 48°). To correct the aberrations, traditional paraxial aberration and third‐order Seidel aberration are no longer applicable because the accuracy will decline dramatically when the field angle reaches a high value. In this paper, the main objective is to find an improved first‐order aberration equation and an improved third‐order Seidel aberration equation using field‐dependent coefficients to correct lateral chromatic aberration (LAT) and distortion, respectively, for a high‐field‐angle singlet lens. The simulation results suggest that improved higher order aberration equations are more accurate to represent real aberrations than the lower order case. However, the chromatic aberration is still visible in the resultant images even though LAT is corrected, because of the differences of blur between different colors caused by axial chromatic aberration (AX) and other monochromatic aberrations such as field curvature. This poses a new research topic as our future work. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Homocysteine is transported by the microvillous plasma membrane of human placenta
Authors: Tsitsiou Eleni , Sibley Colin P. , D'Souza Stephen W. , Catanescu Otilia , Jacobsen Donald W. , Glazier Jocelyn D.
Published: June 2010

Elevated maternal plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes. The postulate that we wish to advance here is that placental transport of Hcy, by competing with endogenous amino acids for transporter activity, may account for some of the damaging impacts of Hcy on placental metabolism and function as well as fetal development. In this article, we provide an overview of some recent studies characterising the transport mechanisms for Hcy across the microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) of the syncytiotrophoblast, the transporting epithelium of human placenta. Three Hcy transport systems have been identified, systems L, A and y+L. This was accomplished using a strategy of competitive inhibition to investigate the effects of Hcy on the uptake of well‐characterised radiolabelled substrates for each transport system into isolated MVM vesicles. The reverse experiments were also performed, examining the effects of model substrates on [35S]L‐Hcy uptake. This article describes the evidence for systems L, A and y+L involvement in placental Hcy transport and discusses the physiological implications of these findings with respect to placental function and fetal development.
A short‐term longitudinal analysis of friendship selection on early adolescent substance use
Authors: Poulin François , Kiesner Jeff , Pedersen Sara , Dishion Thomas J.
Published: June 2010

There is a strong empirical connection between individual and peer substance use during adolescence. The determination of whether this level of covariation reflects influence or selection is obscured by both the design and measurement strategies used. This present study utilizes a short‐term longitudinal design with bi‐monthly assessments to address the following two hypotheses: a) Adolescents select friends on the basis of their substance use, and b) New friend substance use predicts changes in future use. French Canadian adolescents (n = 143) were interviewed on their friendship networks and substance use behaviors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol and marijuana) four times during a school year. Cross‐lag panel models revealed that adolescents who use substances tend to select new friends who use. Moreover, once in the network, these new friends also contribute to changes in the adolescents’ substance use. These findings are relevant to understanding the multiple functions of adolescent substance use.
Identifying adolescents at risk through voluntary school‐based mental health screening
Authors: Husky Mathilde M. , Kaplan Adam , McGuire Leslie , Flynn Laurie , Chrostowski Christine , Olfson Mark
Published: June 2010

This study compares referrals for mental health services among high school students randomized to two means of referral to mental health services: referral via systematic identification through a brief mental health screening procedure (n = 365) or referral via the usual process of identification by school personnel, parents, or students themselves (n = 291). Screened students were significantly more likely than control students (AOR: 21.64 95%CI 6.66–70.36) to receive a referral for mental health services, whether it be to school‐based services (AOR: 11.68 95%CI 3.52–8.73) or community‐based services (AOR: 20.02 95%CI 2.66–150.41). Post‐study, for those screened, 95.5% of school‐based mental health services referrals, and 39.3% of community‐based referrals were accessed. School based mental health screening identified a significantly greater proportion of youth to be in clinical need of mental health services than would have likely been identified without screening, and increased rates of referral resulted in greater access to mental health services.
Psychopathologic, neuropsychological and functional outcome measures during cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia: A prospective controlled study in a real-world setting
Authors: Vita A. , De Peri L. , Barlati S. , Cacciani P. , Cisima M. , Deste G. , Cesana B.M. , Sacchetti E.
Published: June 2010

Background

Cognitive dysfunction has been demonstrated in patients with schizophrenia, and this may affect patients’ functional outcome. The improvement of such dysfunction by means of cognitive remediation interventions has become a relevant target in the care of schizophrenia.

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of the cognitive subprograms of Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT) on symptomatological, neuropsychological and functional outcome variables and to analyze the relationships between cognitive and functional outcome changes in schizophrenia.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with schizophrenia were assigned to cognitive remediation (IPT-cog) or usual rehabilitative interventions in a naturalistic setting of care. Clinical, neuropsychological and functional outcome variables were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment.

Results

The IPT-cog group improved significantly more than the comparison group with respect to psychopathological and functional outcome variables. Moreover, only the IPT-cog group improved significantly in the neuropsychological domains of verbal and working memory, with specific significant correlations between neurocognitive performance and functional outcome changes.

Conclusions

The results of the study confirm the effectiveness of the cognitive remediation component of IPT in schizophrenia, and indicate that some of the changes in functional outcome may be mediated by improvement in specific cognitive domains.
Redescription ofImajimaea draculai—a rare syllid polychaete associated with the sea penFuniculina quadrangularis
Authors: Nygren Arne , Pleijel Fredrik
Published: June 2010

We redescribeImajimaea draculaibased on newly collected specimens from the Swedish west coast and describe for the first time its association with the sea penFuniculina quadrangularis. We assess the phylogenetic position ofI. draculaiwithin Autolytinae using nuclear 18SrDNA, together with mitochondrial COI and 16SrDNA, and we estimate its intraspecific variation using nuclear ITS and mitochondrial COI. Our molecular data unequivocally show thatI. draculaibelongs to the tribe Procerini in a clade consisting ofProcerastea, VirchowiaandImajimaeathat is separated from all other Procerini taxa for which molecular data are available. No intraspecific variation is found inI. draculaifor the sequenced molecular markers.
Structure and evolution of the intracratonic Congo Basin
Authors: Crosby A. G. , Fishwick S. , White N.
Published: June 2010

Surface wave tomography, heat flow, and crustal thickness measurements have demonstrated that the thickness of the continental lithosphere varies by at least a factor of 2. Since the thermal time constant of the lithosphere depends upon the square of its thickness, subsidence records of extensional sedimentary basins offer a potential way of extending these observations into the past. Here we examine the Congo basin, a large and iconic intracratonic sedimentary basin in Central Africa. This roughly circular basin covers an area in excess of 1.4 × 106 km2 with more than 5 km thickness of sedimentary rocks, the oldest parts of which are late Precambrian in age. First, we assess the thickness of the lithosphere. We have estimated its thickness across Africa using maps of shear wave velocity obtained by inversion of fundamental and higher‐mode surface waveforms. The Congo Basin sits on 220 ± 30 km thick lithosphere and appears to be part of a southern core to the continent encompassing both Archean cratons and Proterozoic mobile belts. This thickness is consistent with published estimates from kimberlites. Reappraisal of legacy seismic reflection images demonstrates that the sedimentary section is underlain by a Late Precambrian rift zone and that the basin is still subsiding today. Subsidence modeling of two deep wells is consistent with uniform extension and cooling of the lithosphere by a factor of 1.2 during latest Precambrian and Cambrian time; we argue that the exceptional 0.55 Ga history of the basin is a direct consequence of the lithospheric thermal time constant being a factor of 4 longer than normal. Today, the basin coincides with a long‐wavelength −30 to −40 mGal gravity anomaly. We interpret this gravity anomaly as the surficial manifestation of 400–600 m of recent mantle convective drawdown in response to the onset of upwelling plumes around the flanks of the southern African continent. The alternative explanation, that it is the static manifestation of locally thick lithosphere, is inconsistent with global trends of mantle density depletion. Our interpretation is consistent with fast seismic velocities observed throughout the sublithospheric upper mantle underneath the basin and recent geodynamic modeling.
Patterns of Inflight Alcohol Consumption: A Study of British Holiday Makers
Authors: Georgiou Panos , Johan Novie , Jones Peter
Published: June 2010

This study aims to investigate whether alcohol consumption by passengers when travelling was the same or different to their normal pattern. On the basis of 236 surveys completed by British passengers on Cyprus Airways flights, this study compares and contrasts their normal and in-flight alcohol consumption patterns. The overall results were analysed, followed with analysis within the sub-groups and from various demographic perspectives. Some significant differences from the habitual alcohol consumption behaviours (for example based on age, gender and marital status) are noted and discussed.
Finite-temperature quantum simulations of mixed rare gas clusters
Authors: Meuwly Markus , Doll J. D.
Published: June 2010

Finite-temperature quantum Monte Carlo simulations are presented for mixed neon/argon rare gas clusters containing up to n=10 atoms. For the smallest clusters (n=3) comparison with rigorous bound state calculations and experiments shows that the present approach is accurate to within fractions of wavenumbers for energies and to within a few percent or better for rotational constants. For larger cluster sizes, for which no rigorous quantum calculations are available, comparison with experiment becomes even more favorable. In all simulations accurate pair potentials for the rare gas-rare gas interactions are employed and comparison with high-level electronic structure calculations suggest that many-body interactions play a minor role. For the largest clusters investigated (Ne4Ar6) gradual melting of the neon phase is observed while the argon-phase remains structurally intact.
Human hand imaging using a 20 cm high-temperature superconducting coil in a 3T magnetic resonance imaging system
Authors: Lin In-Tsang , Yang Hong-Chang , Hsieh Chang-Wei , Jao Tun , Chen Jyh-Horng
Published: June 2010

A high-temperature superconducting (HTS) radio-frequency (rf) coil has been proposed as a promising tool in the investigation of tissue microscopy with high resolution due to its low-resistant characteristic for magnetic resonance (MR) probe design. In this work, a 200 mm in diameter Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox (Bi-2223) tape HTS rf coil was built; and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with the HTS tape coil having 2.22 folds higher than that of a home-made copper coil for a phantom MR study was demonstrated. Testing results were in agreement with predicted ones, and the difference between the predicted SNR gains and measured SNR gains is 0.9%. Using in vivo imaging, a SNR with the HTS tape coil having 1.95 folds higher than that of a home-made copper coil for a human hand MR study was presented. The HTS coil is expected to generate a higher SNR gain after optimization. Further applications of a functional magnetic resonance imaging system are under investigation to test the applicability of this HTS coil system in a 3T system.
Sub-bandgap luminescence centers in silicon created by self-ion implantation and thermal annealing
Authors: Yang Yu , Bao Jiming , Wang Chong , Aziz Michael J.
Published: June 2010

We investigated the conditions for the generation of silicon sub-bandgap luminescence centers (W, R, and D1 centers) in p-type silicon wafer by self-ion implantation and thermal annealing. Luminescence centers and their spatial distributions were probed by measuring their photoluminescence (PL) spectra before and after sequential removal of top surface layers. It was demonstrated that the optimal annealing temperature for W-line is ∼300 °C. The strongest R-line is observed in the sample with a dose of 1014 cm−2 and at an annealing temperature of 700 °C. The creation of D1-band requires a minimum dose of 3×1014 cm−2 and a minimum annealing temperature of 800 °C. PL versus etch depth measurements indicate that within the studied dose range, the W-line luminescence centers are distributed beyond twice the ion projected range (Rp≈400 nm), R-line centers are located slightly deeper than the Rp, and D1 related defects are distributed at about the same depth as Rp. These results provide valuable information for fabricating the silicon-based infrared light sources.
Channel strain analysis in high-performance damascene-gate p-metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors using high-spatial resolution Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Takei Munehisa , Kosemura Daisuke , Nagata Kohki , Akamatsu Hiroaki , Mayuzumi Satoru , Yamakawa Shinya , Wakabayashi Hitoshi , Ogura Atsushi
Published: June 2010

Channel strain analysis in damascene-gate p-metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (pMOSFETs) with a compressive stress liner and embedded SiGe after the dummy gate removal was studied using micro-Raman spectroscopy with a UV laser (λ=363.8 nm) and a quasiline excitation source. Using a quasiline excitation source, we obtained spatial and energy information simultaneously with a high spatial resolution in the one-dimensional strain profile. For Lgate>210 nm samples, we performed laser exposure for 10 min to measure the channel strain. However, the channel strain for Lgate<210 nm samples was impossible to evaluate due to the limitation of the spatial resolution. Therefore, we increased the laser exposure time to 40 min for Lgate<210 nm samples. Super invar metal with an extremely low thermal coefficient was installed in the monochromator, which achieved a very long measurement. Finally, we found an extremely large stress of −2.4 GPa in the channel of Lgate=30 nm samples. These results demonstrated good agreement with a stress simulation. We found that the large stress in the channel significantly enhanced the drivability in the damascene-gate pMOSFET.
Gas-flow animation by unsteady heating in a microchannel
Authors: Manela A. , Hadjiconstantinou N. G.
Published: June 2010

We study the flow-field generated in a one-dimensional wall-bounded gas layer due to an arbitrary small-amplitude time variation in the temperature of its boundaries. Using the Fourier transform technique, analytical results are obtained for the slip-flow/Navier–Stokes limit. These results are complemented by low-variance simulations of the Boltzmann equation, which are useful for establishing the limits of the slip-flow description, as well as for bridging the gap between the slip-flow analysis and previously developed free-molecular analytical predictions. Results are presented for both periodic (sinusoidal) and nonperiodic (step-jump) heating profiles. Our slip-flow solution is used to elucidate a singular limit reported in the literature for oscillatory heating of a dynamically incompressible fluid.
Highly efficient electro-optic polymers through improved poling using a thin TiO2-modified transparent electrode
Authors: Huang Su , Kim Tae-Dong , Luo Jingdong , Hau Steven K. , Shi Zhengwei , Zhou Xing-Hua , Yip Hin-Lap , Jen Alex K.-Y.
Published: June 2010

A sol-gel derived thin titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer was spin-coated onto indium-tin-oxide substrate to improve poling efficiency of recently developed electro-optic (E-O) polymers. The thin TiO2 layer significantly blocks excessive charge injection and reduces the leakage current during high field poling. Ultralarge E-O coefficients, up to 160–350 pm/V at 1310 nm, have been achieved. These results show higher poling efficiency (enhancement of 26%–40%) compared to the results of poled films without the TiO2 layer. This enhancement can be explained by field distribution flattening effect at high injection barrier with the insertion of TiO2 barrier layer.
Nonpolar cubic AlGaN/GaN heterojunction field-effect transistor on Ar+ implanted 3C–SiC (001)
Authors: Tschumak E. , Granzner R. , Lindner J. K. N. , Schwierz F. , Lischka K. , Nagasawa H. , Abe M. , As D. J.
Published: June 2010

A heterojunction field-effect transistor (HFET) was fabricated of nonpolar cubic AlGaN/GaN grown on Ar+ implanted 3C–SiC (001) by molecular beam epitaxy. The device shows a clear field effect at positive bias voltages with Vth=0.6 V. The HFET output characteristics were calculated using ATLAS simulation program. The electron channel at the cubic AlGaN/GaN interface was detected by room temperature capacitance-voltage measurements.
A femtosecond velocity map imaging study on B-band predissociation in CH3I. I. The band origin
Authors: Gitzinger G. , Corrales M. E. , Loriot V. , Amaral G. A. , de Nalda R. , Bañares L.
Published: June 2010

A femtosecond pump-probe experiment, coupled with velocity map ion imaging, is reported on the second absorption band (B-band) of CH3I. The measurements provide a detailed picture of real-time B-band predissociation in the band origin at 201.2 nm. Several new data are reported. (i) A value of 1.5±0.1 ps has been obtained for the lifetime of the excited state, consistent within errors with the only other direct measurement of this quantity [A. P. Baronavski and J. C. Owrutsky, J. Chem. Phys. 108, 3445 (1998)]. (ii) It has been possible to measure the angular character of the transition directly through the observation of fragments appearing early with respect to both predissociation lifetime and molecular rotation. (iii) Vibrational activity in CH3 has been found, both in the umbrella (ν2) and the symmetric stretch (ν1) modes, with estimates of relative populations. All these findings constitute a challenge and a test for much-wanted high level ab initio and dynamics calculations in this energy region.
Measuring Rates of Hand Hygiene Adherence in the Intensive Care Setting: A Comparative Study of Direct Observation, Product Usage, and Electronic Counting Devices
Authors: Marra Alexandre R. , Moura Denis Faria , Paes Ângela Tavares , dos Santos Oscar Fernando Pavão , Edmond Michael B.
Published: June 2010

Objective.

To compare 3 measures of hand hygiene adherence—direct observation, product usage, and electronic counting devices—in an intensive care unit.

Design.

A 12-week observational study.

Setting.

A 40-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit at a private tertiary care hospital.

Methods.

Over a 12-week period, we assessed hand hygiene adherence by 3 different methods: direct observation of practice, collection of data from electronic counters for dispensers of alcohol-based hand rub, and measurement of the amount of product used (alcohol-based hand rub and chlorhexidine).

Results.

There were 2,249 opportunities for hand hygiene observed, and the overall rate of hand hygiene adherence was 62.3% (representing 1,402 cleansing episodes). A total of 76,389 dispensing episodes were recorded by the electronic devices. The mean number of dispensing episodes per patient-day was 53.8. There was 64.1 mL of alcohol-based hand rub used per patient-day (representing 65.5% of total product used) and 33.8 mL of Chlorhexidine used per patient-day (representing 34.5%). There was no significant correlation between observed hand hygiene adherence and total product used per patient-day (r = 0.18; P = .59).

Conclusions.

Direct observation cannot be considered the gold standard for assessing hand hygiene, because there was no relationship between the observed adherence and the number of dispensing episodes or the volume of product used. Other means to monitor hand hygiene adherence, such as electronic devices and measurement of product usage, should be considered.
Global and regional importance of the tropical peatland carbon pool
Authors: PAGE SUSAN E. , RIELEY JOHN O. , BANKS CHRISTOPHER J.
Published: June 2010

Accurate inventory of tropical peatland is important in order to (a) determine the magnitude of the carbon pool; (b) estimate the scale of transfers of peat‐derived greenhouse gases to the atmosphere resulting from land use change; and (c) support carbon emissions reduction policies. We review available information on tropical peatland area and thickness and calculate peat volume and carbon content in order to determine their best estimates and ranges of variation. Our best estimate of tropical peatland area is 441 025 km2 (∼11% of global peatland area) of which 247 778 km2 (56%) is in Southeast Asia. We estimate the volume of tropical peat to be 1758 Gm3 (∼18–25% of global peat volume) with 1359 Gm3 in Southeast Asia (77% of all tropical peat). This new assessment reveals a larger tropical peatland carbon pool than previous estimates, with a best estimate of 88.6 Gt (range 81.7–91.9 Gt) equal to 15–19% of the global peat carbon pool. Of this, 68.5 Gt (77%) is in Southeast Asia, equal to 11–14% of global peat carbon. A single country, Indonesia, has the largest share of tropical peat carbon (57.4 Gt, 65%), followed by Malaysia (9.1 Gt, 10%). These data are used to provide revised estimates for Indonesian and Malaysian forest soil carbon pools of 77 and 15 Gt, respectively, and total forest carbon pools (biomass plus soil) of 97 and 19 Gt. Peat carbon contributes 60% to the total forest soil carbon pool in Malaysia and 74% in Indonesia. These results emphasize the prominent global and regional roles played by the tropical peat carbon pool and the importance of including this pool in national and regional assessments of terrestrial carbon stocks and the prediction of peat‐derived greenhouse gas emissions.
Water‐use efficiency in response to climate change: from leaf to ecosystem in a temperate steppe
Authors: NIU SHULI , XING XUERONG , ZHANG ZHE , XIA JIANYANG , ZHOU XUHUI , SONG BING , LI LINGHAO , WAN SHIQIANG
Published: June 2010

Water‐use efficiency (WUE) has been recognized as an important characteristic of ecosystem productivity, which links carbon (C) and water cycling. However, little is known about how WUE responds to climate change at different scales. Here, we investigated WUE at leaf, canopy, and ecosystem levels under increased precipitation and warming from 2005 to 2008 in a temperate steppe in Northern China. We measured gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE), evapotranspiration (ET), evaporation (E), canopy transpiration (Tc), as well as leaf photosynthesis (Pmax) and transpiration (Tl) of a dominant species to calculate canopy WUE (WUEc=GEP/T), ecosystem WUE (WUEgep=GEP/ET or WUEnee=NEE/ET) and leaf WUE (WUEl=Pmax/Tl). The results showed that increased precipitation stimulated WUEc, WUEgep and WUEnee by 17.1%, 10.2% and 12.6%, respectively, but decreased WUEl by 27.4%. Climate warming reduced canopy and ecosystem WUE over the 4 years but did not affect leaf level WUE. Across the 4 years and the measured plots, canopy and ecosystem WUE linearly increased, but leaf level WUE of the dominant species linearly decreased with increasing precipitation. The differential responses of canopy/ecosystem WUE and leaf WUE to climate change suggest that caution should be taken when upscaling WUE from leaf to larger scales. Our findings will also facilitate mechanistic understanding of the C–water relationships across different organism levels and in projecting the effects of climate warming and shifting precipitation regimes on productivity in arid and semiarid ecosystems.
Cytoplasmic β‐catenin accumulation is a good prognostic marker in upper and lower gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Norwood Michael G A , Bailey Neil , Nanji Manoj , Gillies Richard S , Nicholson Anna , Ubhi Sukh , Darnton Jane J , Steyn Richard S , Womack Chris , Hughes Andrew , Hemingway David , Harrison Rebecca , Waters Rachel , Jankowski Janusz A
Published: June 2010

Norwood M G A, Bailey N, Nanji M, Gillies R S, Nicholson A, Ubhi S, Darnton J J, Steyn R S, Womack C, Hughes A, Hemingway D, Harrison R, Waters R & Jankowski J A (2010) Histopathology 57, 101–111 Cytoplasmic β‐catenin accumulation is a good prognostic marker in upper and lower gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas

Aims:  β‐Catenin is an important molecule in cancer biology. Membranous β‐catenin enhances cellular differentiation and inhibits invasion by its action on E‐cadherin. The aim was to ascertain whether the cellular expression of these molecules in colorectal and oesophageal cancer specimens is associated with survival in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods and results:  Tumour samples from 149 patients undergoing resection for colorectal adenocarcinoma and 147 patients undergoing resection for oesophageal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively analysed using immunohistochemical techniques to assess β‐catenin expression. Increasing β‐catenin expression in the cytoplasm was associated with improved survival for colorectal cancer cases on both univariate (P = 0.003) and multivariate (P = 0.01) analysis. In addition, increased expression in the most recent cohort of oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients was associated with improved TNM staging (P = 0.007). Membrane expression was weakly associated with survival in colorectal cancer on univariate analysis (P = 0.09), but not on multivariate analysis (P = 0.21). Complete absence of β‐catenin expression at all three sites was associated with reduced 5‐year survival in colorectal cancer.

Conclusions:  This is one of the largest prognostic studies of β‐catenin in gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. It shows that low levels of cytoplasmic β‐catenin expression are associated with reduced survival in patients with colorectal cancer as well as worse TNM staging in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (a recognized surrogate end‐point for survival). We believe this is the first time that this has been reported. This finding should be tested prospectively in oncological trials to validate whether the presence of cytoplasmic β‐catenin could be used as a prognostic marker for less aggressive disease.
Volatile composition and descriptive sensory analysis of Italian vanilla torrone
Authors: Speziale Marisa , Vázquez‐Araújo Laura , Mincione Antonio , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A.
Published: June 2010

Vanilla torrone is a honey‐ and almond‐based confectionery product very famous in Italy, especially during Christmas. In this study, the effects of two factors, the manufacturing company and the manufacturing season, on the volatile composition of vanilla torrone were studied. Volatile compounds in torrone samples were extracted using simultaneous distillation‐extraction and finally isolated, semi‐quantified and identified using GC‐MS. A trained panel was also used to make a descriptive analysis of torrone. Benzene derivatives and terpenes were the predominant chemical groups in torrone samples. The addition of artificial flavourings (mainly vanillin and benzaldehyde) played an important role in determining the final composition of volatiles and their concentrations. However, the amount and quality of almonds and honey and the intensity of almond toasting could also play important roles. If manufacturers want to provide a more homogeneous product to the consumers, more attention should be paid to the composition and concentrations of the flavourings added.
Intimal thickening of coronary arteries in the rabbitfish, Chimaera monstrosa L. (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali)
Authors: Durán A C , Rodríguez C , Gil de Sola L , Fernández B , Arqué J M , Sans‐Coma V
Published: June 2010

This study is the first to report the occurrence of intimal thickening of coronary arteries in a holocephalan, namely the rabbitfish, Chimaera monstrosa. The sample studied consisted of five hearts from rabbitfish with body weights ranging between 12 g and 1116 g. The specimens were fixed in formalin, in methanol:acetone:water (MAW), or in paraformaldehyde and were examined by brightfield and polarization light microscopy. Coronary arteries from three larger animals displayed focal intimal thickenings, which were located in the left main coronary artery trunk, at the level of the cono‐ventricular junction, and in several intramyocardial ventricular arteries. The vascular changes were characterized by myointimal proliferation, breakage or absence of the inner elastic lamina, and, in one case, by increased collagen within the myointimal proliferation. Taking into account the severity of the coronary arterial changes, their location, and the body weight of the affected animals, we conclude that (1) these changes are age‐related in the rabbitfish and (2) local intense mechanical tension seems to be an important factor in their formation in this species.
3D volumes constructed from pixel‐based images by digitally clearing plant and animal tissue
Authors: LIVINGSTON D.P. , TUONG T.D. , GADI S.R.V. , HAIGLER C.H. , GELMAN R.S. , CULLEN J.M.
Published: June 2010

Construction of three‐dimensional volumes from a series of two‐dimensional images has been restricted by the limited capacity to decrease the opacity of tissue. The use of commercial software that allows colour‐keying and manipulation of two‐dimensional images in true three‐dimensional space allowed us to construct three‐dimensional volumes from pixel‐based images of stained plant and animal tissue without generating vector information. We present three‐dimensional volumes of (1) the crown of an oat plant showing internal responses to a freezing treatment, (2) a sample of a hepatocellular carcinoma from a woodchuck liver that had been heat‐treated with computer‐guided radiofrequency ablation to induce necrosis in the central portion of the tumour, and (3) several features of a sample of mouse lung. The technique is well suited to images from large sections (greater than 1 mm) generated from paraffin‐embedded tissues. It is widely applicable, having potential to recover three‐dimensional information at virtually any resolution inherent in images generated by light microscopy, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or electron microscopy.
Photorhabdus phase variants express a novel fimbrial locus, mad, essential for symbiosis
Authors: Somvanshi Vishal S. , Kaufmann‐Daszczuk Bettina , Kim Kwi‐suk , Mallon Shane , Ciche Todd A.
Published: June 2010

Fimbriae are adhesive organelles known to enable pathogens to colonize animal tissue, but little is known of their function in mutualistic symbioses. Photorhabdus colonization of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes is essential for the pair's insect pathogenic lifestyle. Maternal nematodes acquire Photorhabdus symbionts as a persistent intestinal biofilm prior to transmission to infective juvenile (IJ) stage offspring developing inside the maternal body. Screening 8000 Photorhabdus mutants for defects in IJ colonization revealed that a single fimbrial locus, named mad for maternal adhesion defective, is essential. The mad genes encode a novel usher/chaperone assembled fimbria regulated by an ON/OFF invertible promoter switch. Adherent Photorhabdus cells in maternal nematode intestines had the switch ON opposite to the OFF orientation of most other cells. A ΔmadA mutant failed to adhere to maternal intestines and be transmitted to the IJs. Mad fimbriae were detected on TT01 phase ON cells but not on ΔmadA phase ON cells. Also required for transmission is madJ, predicted to encode a transcriptional activator related to GrlA. Expression of madA–K or madIJK restored the ability of madJ mutant to adhere. The Mad fimbriae were not required for insect pathogenesis, indicating the specialized function of Mad fimbriae for symbiosis.
AtNHX3 is a vacuolar K+/H+ antiporter required for low‐potassium tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: LIU HUA , TANG RENJIE , ZHANG YUE , WANG CUITING , LV QUNDAN , GAO XIAOSHU , LI WENBIN , ZHANG HONGXIA
Published: June 2010

Three vacuolar cation/H+ antiporters, AtNHX1 (At5g27150), 2 (At3g05030) and 5 (At1g54370), have been characterized as functional Na+/H+ antiporters in Arabidopsis. However, the physiological functions of AtNHX3 (At5g55470) still remain unclear. In this study, the physiological functions of AtNHX3 were studied using T‐DNA insertion mutant and 35S‐driven AtNHX3 over‐expression Arabidopsis plants. RT‐PCR analyses revealed that AtNHX3 is highly expressed in germinating seeds, flowers and siliques. Experiments with AtNHX3::YFP fusion protein in tobacco protoplasts indicated that AtNHX3 is mainly localized to vacuolar membrane, with a minor localization to pre‐vacuolar compartments (PVCs) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Seedlings of null nhx3 mutants were hypersensitive to K+‐deficient conditions. Expression of AtNHX3 complemented the sensitivity to K+ deficiency in nhx3 seedlings. Tonoplast vesicles isolated from transgenic plants over‐expressing AtNHX3 displayed significantly higher K+/H+ exchange rates than those isolated from wild‐type plants. Furthermore, nhx3 seeds accumulated less K+ and more Na+ when both wild‐type and nhx3 were grown under normal growth condition. The overall results indicate that AtNHX3 encodes a K+/H+ antiporter required for low‐potassium tolerance during germination and early seedling development, and may function in K+ utilization and ion homeostasis in Arabidopsis.
Occupational therapy in palliative care: Is it under‐utilised in Western Australia?
Authors: Halkett Georgia K. B. , Ciccarelli Marina , Keesing Sharon , Aoun Samar
Published: June 2010

Aim: To explore potential barriers to occupational therapy in palliative care in Western Australia, as perceived by occupational therapists and other health professionals.

Method: A qualitative research methodology was used. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 10 occupational therapists and 10 health professionals (including a physiotherapist, a social worker, medical registrars and clinical nurses). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis.

Results: The four main themes identified were: inconsistent understanding of the contribution that occupational therapists can make to palliative care, insufficient promotion of the potential contribution of occupational therapy, insufficient funding, and limited research on the role of occupational therapy in palliative care.

Conclusion: This study provides an understanding of the barriers that have limited occupational therapists’ involvement in providing palliative care in Western Australia.