bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graphene metrology and devices
Authors: Diebold Alain C. , Nelson Florence
Published: February 2010

The unusual electronic properties of graphene make it a prime candidate material for extending nanoelectronics and designing new types of switches. Graphene's unusual properties are a result of the unusual band structure associated with the hexagonal bonding pattern and the electron/hole transport through the pi orbitals. Graphene samples are frequently more than one layer, or few-layer graphene, and the change in electronic properties with each layer depends on the stacking configuration and the rotational misorientation between the layers. Transport measurements of single layer graphene (SLG) show that graphene exhibits the quantum Hall effect. In addition, Berry Phase corrections to carrier transport measurements are now widely recognized. Because graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms, it is difficult to find, manipulate, and measure. We review the status of physical and electrical characterization of graphene and discuss the remaining challenges. We discuss results from optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, low energy electron microscopy, nano-Raman, and several scanned probe methods. Issues such as determination of the number of layers of graphene and rotational stacking misorientation are emphasized.
Dependence of optical, structural and electrical properties of Zn
x
Cd1–x
S thin films prepared by co-evaporation on the composition for x = 0 – 1
Authors: Zia Rehana , Saleemi Farhat , Naseem Shahzad
Published: February 2010

Thin films of zinc cadmium sulphide – a ternary compound intended to be used in solar cells – are prepared by co-evaporation. The films are prepared at room temperature, in a vacuum better than 10–5 Torr. The composition of these films is varied from x = 0 to x = 1 in the compound Zn
x
Cd1–x
S. The structural, optical and electrical properties have been investigated as a function of x. The direct band gap varies from 2.415 eV to 3.41 eV for x = 0 to x = 1 respectively. The crystal structure is found to be hexagonal (Wurtzite) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 and cubic zinc-blende for x > 0.8. The lattice constants decrease and the optical bandgap increases with the increase in the value of x. The resistivity of the Zn
x
Cd1–x
S films is found to decrease from 3.6 × 104 Ω cm for x = 0 to 69.5 Ω cm for x = 0.3 and again increases beyond this range to a value of 6.3 × 103 Ω cm for x = 1.0.
Characterisation of lead – calcium alloys ageing in anisothermal conditions by calorimetric, resistance and hardness in-situ measurements
Authors: Rossi F. , Lambertin M. , Delfaut-Durut L. , Maitre A. , Vilasi M.
Published: February 2010

Transformations undergone by lead – calcium alloys are numerous and have different kinetics from a few minutes to a few years. Anisothermal calorimetric measurements were performed to be able to identify these transformations quickly. It was then possible to identify five transformations. Complementary measurements have enabled us to define transformations with an in-situ electrical resistance measurement to follow the evolution of the calcium in solid solution and with an in-situ hardness measurement to characterise the mechanical properties. The aim of these results is to simulate the ageing and overageing of the alloy in isothermal conditions.
The oxidation behaviour of the 9 % Cr steel P92in CO2- and H2O-rich gases relevant to oxyfuel environments
Authors: Abellán Javier Pirón , Olszewski Tomasz , Meier Gerald H. , Singheiser Lorenz , Quadakkers Willem J.
Published: February 2010

In oxyfuel plants metallic heat exchanging components will be subjected to service environments containing high amounts of CO2 and water vapour. In the present paper, the oxidation behaviour of the ferritic/martensitic 9 % Cr steel P92 was studied in a model gas mixture containing 70 % CO2-30 % H2O in the temperature range 550 – 650 °C. The results were compared with the behaviour in air, Ar–CO2 and Ar–H2O. In the CO2- and/or H2O-rich gases, the steel formed iron-rich oxide scales which possess substantially higher growth rates than the Cr-rich surface scales formed during air exposure. The iron-rich oxide scales are formed as a result of a decreased flux of chromium in the bulk alloy toward the surface. This is the result of enhanced internal oxidation of chromium in the H2O-containing gases and carburisation in the CO2 gases. The oxide scales allow molecular transport of CO2 towards the metallic surface, resulting in carburisation of the alloy. The presence of water vapour induced buckling in the outer haematite layer, apparently as a result of compressive oxide growth stresses. Buckling did not occur in the H2O-free gas. This has been discussed in terms of the potential for H2O to increase growth stresses and accelerate crack propagation. The oxidation rates in CO2–H2O do not seem to be higher than those observed in flue gases of conventional fossil fuel fired power plants.
Ni2O3-modified TiO2 – xNx as efficientvisible-light photocatalysts
Authors: Wang Guiqiang , Li Yinmin , Zhuo Shuping
Published: February 2010

Ni2O3-modified TiO2 – xNx visible-light photocatalysts have been prepared by the sol-gel method followed by calcining at 450 °C. The photocatalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The visible-light photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by decomposition of methylene blue in air under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Results revealed that the Ni2O3-modified TiO2 – xNx samples exhibited irregular particle shapes. The crystal phase of Ni2O3-modified TiO2 – xNx samples was anatase. Compared with pure TiO2, the absorption of the Ni2O3-modified TiO2 – xNx samples extends significantly into the visible regions due to the doped N atom in the interstitial sites of the TiO2 lattice. The visible-light photocatalytic activity of Ni2O3-modified TiO2 – xNx samples was improved greatly since the loaded Ni2O3 can facilitate charge transfer.
Structure and mechanical properties of an AlCr6Fe2Ti1 alloy produced by rapid solidification powder metallurgy method
Authors: Michalcová Alena , Vojtěch Dalibor , Novák Pavel , Šittner Petr , Pilch Jan , Drahokoupil Jan , Kolařík Kamil
Published: February 2010

In the present paper, the structure and properties of a Al–Cr–Fe–Ti alloy produced by powder metallurgy are described. An initial rapidly solidified powder alloy was prepared by the pressure nitrogen melt atomisation. Subsequently, the granulometric powder fraction of less than 45 μm was hot-extruded. According to X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy observation, the compact material is composed of α-Al grains and spheroids of intermetallic phases. The α-Al grains of the compacted material are recrystallized and neither residual stress nor texture were observed. The values of ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the investigated material were similar to the values for conventional Al-based alloys. Dependences of ultimate tensile strength and yield strength on temperature were also measured. Excellent thermal stability of the powder metallurgy produced Al–Cr-based material was proven by room-temperature hardness measurement after long-term annealing at elevated temperature.
The role of defects in resistively switching chalcogenides
Authors: Waser Rainer , Dittmann Regina , Salinga Martin , Wuttig Matthias
Published: February 2010

This overview describes the present understanding of resistive switching phenomena encountered in chalcogenide-based cells which may be utilized in energy-efficient non-volatile memory devices and in array-based logic applications. We introduce the basic operation principle of the phase change mechanism, the thermochemical mechanism, and the valence change mechanism and we discuss the crucial role of structural defects in the switching processes. We show how this role is determined by the atomic structure of the defects, the electronic defect states, and/or the ion transport properties of the defects. The electronic structure of the systems in different resistance states is described in the light of the chemical bonds involved. While for phase change alloys the interplay of ionicity and hybridization in the crystalline and in the amorphous phase determine the resistances, the local redox reaction at the site of extended defects, the change in the oxygen stoichiometry, and the resulting change in the occupancy of relevant orbitals play the major role in transition metal oxides which switch by the thermochemical and the valence change mechanism. Phase transformations are not only discussed for phase change alloys but also for redox-related switching processes. The switching kinetics as well as the ultimate scalability of switching cells are related to structural defects in the materials.
Comparison of percutaneous balloon compression and glycerol rhizotomy for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Kouzounias Konstantinos , Lind Göran , Schechtmann Gastón , Winter Jaleh , Linderoth Bengt
Published: February 2010

Object

The aim of this study was to compare percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) and percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy (PRGR) in terms of effectiveness, complications, and technical aspects.

Methods

Sixty-six consecutive PBC procedures were performed in 45 patients between January 2004 and December 2008, and 120 PRGR attempts were performed in 101 patients between January 2006 and December 2008. The PRGR procedures were not completed due to technical reasons in 19 cases. Five patients in the Balloon Compression Group and 9 patients in the Glycerol Group were lost to follow-up and were excluded from the study. The medical records and the intraoperative fluoroscopic images from the remaining cases were retrospectively examined, and the follow-up was completed with telephone contact, when necessary. The 2 groups were compared in terms of initial effect, duration of effect, and rates of complications as well as severity and type of complications.

Results

The rates for immediate pain relief were 87% for patients treated with glycerol injection and 85% for patients treated with balloon compression. The Kaplan-Meier plots for the 2 treatment modalities were similar. The 50% recurrence time was 21 months for the balloon procedure and 16 months for the glycerol procedure. When the groups were broken down by the “previous operations” criterion, the 50% recurrence time was 24 months for the Glycerol First Procedure Group, 6 months for the Balloon First Procedure Group, 8 months for the Glycerol Previous Procedures Group, and 21 months for the Balloon Previous Procedures Group. The rates of complications (excluding numbness) were 11% for PRGR and 23% for PBC, and this difference was statistically significant (chi-square test, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Both PRGR and PBC are effective techniques for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, with PRGR presenting some advantages in terms of milder and fewer complications and allowing lighter anesthesia without compromise of analgesia. For these reasons the authors consider PRGR as the first option for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in patients who are not suitable candidates or are not willing to undergo microvascular decompression, while PBC is reserved for patients in whom the effect of PRGR has proven to be short or difficult to repeat due to cisternal fibrosis.
Effects of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with implanted deep brain stimulation systems
Authors: Fraix Valerie , Chabardes Stephan , Krainik Alexandre , Seigneuret Eric , Grand Sylvie , Le Bas Jean-François , Krack Paul , Benabid Alim-Louis , Pollak Pierre
Published: February 2010

Object

The aim of this study was to study the effects of MR imaging on the electrical settings of deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems and their clinical consequences.

Methods

The authors studied the effects of 1.5-T MR imaging on the electrical settings of implanted DBS systems, including 1 or more monopolar or quadripolar leads, extension leads, and single- or dual-channel implantable pulse generators (IPGs). The IPG was switched off during the procedure and the voltage was set to 0. The impedances were checked before and after MR imaging.

Results

Five hundred seventy patients were treated with DBS for movement disorders and underwent brain MR imaging after lead implantation and before IPG implantation. None of the patients experienced any adverse events. Thirty-one of these patients underwent 61 additional MR imaging sessions after the entire DBS system had been implanted. The authors report neither local cutaneous nor neurological disorders during or after the MR imaging session. No change in the IPG settings occurred when the magnet reed switch function remained disabled during the procedure.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that 1.5-T MR imaging can be performed safely with continuous monitoring in patients with a DBS system. The ability to disable the magnet reed switch function of the IPG prevents any change in the electrical settings and thus any side effects. The increasing number of DBS indications and the widespread use of MR imaging indicates the need for defining safety guidelines for the use of MR imaging in patients with implanted neurostimulators.
Rattlesnake eggs and the passing of a torch in Winona County, Minnesota
Authors: Cochran Philip A.
Published: February 2010

Although rattlesnakes give birth to living young, the belief that they lay eggs persisted in the midwestern United States until the end of the nineteenth century. This is illustrated by the writings of two prominent chroniclers of natural history in early Winona, a Mississippi River town in southeastern Minnesota. Lafayette Bunnell's accounts of a massacre of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) included statements that a large number of their eggs were also destroyed. The college professor John Holzinger, however, dissected a female rattlesnake to reveal late-term embryos and suggested that the eggs found in the vicinity of rattlesnakes were laid by other species of snakes that share their dens.
The West of Scotland Regional Dredging Committee of the BAAS: Firth of Clyde dredging activities and participants’ circumstances impinging thereon (1834–1856)
Authors: Moore P. G.
Published: February 2010

Insights gained into the activities of the West of Scotland Regional Dredging Committee of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS): a committee comprising the Reverend Dr Charles Popham Miles (Chairman), Dr Robert Kaye Greville, Professor John Hutton Balfour and Thomas Campbell Eyton, are presented. Based particularly on previously unreported correspondence between Miles and Balfour, and between Greville and Balfour that is housed in the archives of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the backgrounds of these persons (like their shared religious leanings) are illuminated and their practical experiences of dredging in the Firth of Clyde, notably in Lamlash Bay (Isle of Arran), brought into focus. Economic aspects relating to the costs of dredging, the finances of participants and the adequacy of the initial BAAS grant are highlighted and other social aspects commented upon. There is no known surviving contemporary account of the interactions between this network of BAAS dredging committee members, so this correspondence seemingly remains, to date, the only information that is available as primary sources.
Ferdinand von Mueller's interactions with Charles Darwin and his response to Darwinism
Authors: Lucas A. M.
Published: February 2010

Although Ferdinand Mueller (later von Mueller), Government Botanist of Victoria, opposed Darwin's theories when On the origin of species was published, there has been little detailed study of the nature of Mueller's opposition from 1860, when he received a presentation copy of Origin, to his death in 1896. Analysis of Mueller's correspondence and publications shows that he remained a theist and misunderstood key aspects of Darwin's theory. However, Mueller did come to accept that natural selection could operate within a species, although never accepting it could produce speciation. Despite these differences he retained a cordial relationship with Darwin.
Stone loach in Stockholm, Sweden, and royal fish-ponds in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
Authors: Lundberg S. , Svanberg I.
Published: February 2010

The stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) occurs in three main areas in Sweden. In the north, it is found in Lapland in the River Torneälven. In the south, it is found in Skåne. There are also two populations near the cities of Stockholm and Nyköping. New data suggest that these two populations originate from fish that were kept in ponds. In the 1740s King Frederick I is said to have released stone loaches from German sources in Lake Mälaren, but this cannot explain its occurrence in Igelbäcken near Stockholm. There is also reason to believe that it was kept in ponds at the royal castle Ulriksdal in the mid-eighteenth century. The fish was possibly imported from the king's native Germany, to be eaten as a delicacy. However, historical records tell of pond-keeping of stone loach by the Royal court in the Stockholm area during the 1680s.
Emerging Ranaviral Infectious Diseases and Amphibian Decline
Authors: Robert Jacques
Published: February 2010

Infectious diseases caused by ranaviruses (RV, family Iridoviridae) not only affect wild amphibian populations but also agriculture and international animal trade. Although, the prevalence of RV infections and die offs has markedly increased over the last decade, it is still unclear whether these viruses are direct causal agents of extinction or rather are the resulting (secondary) consequences of weakened health of amphibian populations leading to increased susceptibility to viral pathogens. In either case, it is important to understand the critical role of host immune defense in controlling RV infections, pathogenicity, and transmission; this is the focus of this review.
The DEMO Quasisymmetric Stellarator
Authors: Garabedian Paul R. , McFadden Geoffrey B.
Published: February 2010

The NSTAB nonlinear stability code solves differential equations in conservation form, and the TRAN Monte Carlo test particle code tracks guiding center orbits in a fixed background, to provide simulations of equilibrium, stability, and transport in tokamaks and stellarators. These codes are well correlated with experimental observations and have been validated by convergence studies. Bifurcated 3D solutions of the 2D tokamak problem have been calculated that model persistent disruptions, neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) and edge localized modes (ELMs) occurring in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which does not pass the NSTAB simulation test for nonlinear stability. So we have designed a quasiaxially symmetric (QAS) stellarator with similar proportions as a candidate for the demonstration (DEMO) fusion reactor that does pass the test [1]. The configuration has two field periods and an exceptionally accurate 2D symmetry that furnishes excellent thermal confinement and good control of the prompt loss of alpha particles. Robust coils are found from a filtered form of the Biot-Savart law based on a distribution of current over a control surface for the coils and the current in the plasma defined by the equilibrium calculation. Computational science has addressed the issues of equilibrium, stability, and transport, so it remains to develop an effective plan to construct the coils and build a diverter.
Recent Developments in Public Health Nursing in the Americas
Authors: Nigenda Gustavo , Magaña-Valladares Laura , Cooper Kelly , Ruiz-Larios Jose Arturo
Published: February 2010

This study presents an assessment of the participation and training of nurses in public health areas in the Americas. Information was gathered through a literature review and interviews with key informants from Mexico, Colombia, and Paraguay. Results demonstrate that there is significant variation in definitions of public health nursing across the region and current systematized data about the workforce profile of public health nursing personnel is not available for many countries in the Americas. There are significant regional differences in the levels and types of training of nurses working in public health areas and an increasing number of nurses are pursuing training in public health at the master’s and doctoral levels. Many nurses carry out some or all of the essential functions of public health, but are not considered to be public health nurses. Generally, auxiliary and technical nurses have a broader presence in public health areas than professional nurses. In the future, regional health systems reforms should support increased recruitment and training of public health nurses, as well as stronger roles in public health research and health care at the individual, community, and population levels.
Smoking Behavior among Coronary Heart Disease Patients in Jordan: A Model from a Developing Country
Authors: Abu-Baker Nesrin  N. , Haddad Linda , Mayyas Omar
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of cigarette smoking before and after diagnosis of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), detect the reasons that discourage quitting smoking and resources of advice about quitting, and investigate the relationship between smoking behaviors and demographic variables. A convenient sample of 300 CHD patients from cardiac outpatient clinics participated. Before disease occurrence, nonsmokers composed 40% of all participants, former smokers 11.7%, and current smokers 48.3%. Surprisingly, after disease occurrence only 29.7% of the patients quit smoking, while 60.7% continued smoking, and 9.6% relapsed. The most frequent reasons given by smokers for not quitting smoking were "do not incline to stop smoking" (25.6%) and “craving for a cigarette” (25%). Doctors were cited most frequently as the reason individuals quit smoking (19.0%). The Jordanian health care system needs to implement systematic intensive smoking cessation programs to maintain and promote CHD patients' motivation to quit smoking.
Photoluminescence and Band Alignment of Strained GaAsSb/GaAs QW Structures Grown by MBE on GaAs
Authors: Sadofyev Yuri G. , Samal Nigamananda
Published: February 2010

An in-depth optimization of growth conditions and investigation of optical properties including discussions on band alignment of GaAsSb/GaAs quantum well (QW) on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are reported. Optimal MBE growth temperature of GaAsSb QW is found to be 470 ± 10 °C. GaAsSb/GaAs QW with Sb content ~0.36 has a weak type-II band alignment with valence band offset ratio QV ~1.06. A full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ~60 meV in room temperature (RT) photoluminescence (PL) indicates fluctuation in electrostatic potential to be less than 20 meV. Samples grown under optimal conditions do not exhibit any blue shift of peak in RT PL spectra under varying excitation.
Behavioral and Chemical Ecology of Marine Organisms with Respect to Tetrodotoxin
Authors: Williams Becky L.
Published: February 2010

The behavioral and chemical ecology of marine organisms that possess tetrodotoxin (TTX) has not been comprehensively reviewed in one work to date. The evidence for TTX as an antipredator defense, as venom, as a sex pheromone, and as an attractant for TTX-sequestering organisms is discussed. Little is known about the adaptive value of TTX in microbial producers; thus, I focus on what is known about metazoans that are purported to accumulate TTX through diet or symbioses. Much of what has been proposed is inferred based on the anatomical distribution of TTX. Direct empirical tests of these hypotheses are absent in most cases.
Isolation, Phylogenetic Analysis and Anti-infective Activity Screening of Marine Sponge-Associated Actinomycetes
Authors: Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Pimentel-Elardo Sheila M. , Hanora Amro , Radwan Mona , Abou-El-Ela Soad H. , Ahmed Safwat , Hentschel Ute
Published: February 2010

Terrestrial actinomycetes are noteworthy producers of a multitude of antibiotics, however the marine representatives are much less studied in this regard. In this study, 90 actinomycetes were isolated from 11 different species of marine sponges that had been collected from offshore Ras Mohamed (Egypt) and from Rovinj (Croatia). Phylogenetic characterization of the isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing supported their assignment to 18 different actinomycete genera representing seven different suborders. Fourteen putatively novel species were identified based on sequence similarity values below 98.2% to other strains in the NCBI database. A putative new genus related to Rubrobacter was isolated on M1 agar that had been amended with sponge extract, thus highlighting the need for innovative cultivation protocols. Testing for anti-infective activities was performed against clinically relevant, Gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria, fungi (Candida albicans) and human parasites (Leishmania major, Trypanosoma brucei). Bioactivities against these pathogens were documented for 10 actinomycete isolates. These results show a high diversity of actinomycetes associated with marine sponges as well as highlight their potential to produce anti-infective agents.
Seasonal Variations of the Activity of Antioxidant Defense Enzymes in the Red Mullet (Mullus barbatus l.) from the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Pavlović Sladjan Z. , Mitić Slavica S. Borković , Radovanović Tijana B. , Perendija Branka R. , Despotović Svetlana G. , Gavrić Jelena P. , Saičić Zorica S.
Published: February 2010

This study investigated seasonal variations of antioxidant defense enzyme activities: total, manganese, copper zinc containing superoxide dismutase (Tot SOD, Mn SOD, CuZn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and biotransformation phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver and white muscle of red mullet (Mullus barbatus). The investigations were performed in winter and spring at two localities: Near Bar (NB) and Estuary of the River Bojana (EB) in the Southern Adriatic Sea. At both sites, Mn SOD, GSH-Px, GR and GST activities decreased in the liver in spring. In the white muscle, activities of Mn SOD, GSH-Px, GR and GST in NB decreased in spring. GR decreased in spring in EB, while CAT activity was higher in spring at both sites. The results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on correlations indicated a clear separation of various sampling periods for both investigated tissues and a marked difference between two seasons. Our study is the first report on antioxidant defense enzyme activities in the red mullet in the Southern Adriatic Sea. It indicates that seasonal variations of antioxidant defense enzyme activities should be used in further biomonitoring studies in fish species.
Flavonoids from the Stems of Croton caudatus Geisel. var. tomentosus Hook
Authors: Zou Guo-An , Su Zhi-Heng , Zhang Hong-Wu , Wang Yuan , Yang Jun-Shan , Zou Zhong-Mei
Published: February 2010

A new flavone, named crotoncaudatin (1), was isolated from the stems of Croton caudatus Geisel. var. tomentosus Hook., together with nine known analogues: 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptamethoxyflavone (2), tangeretin (3), nobiletin (4), 5,6,7,4′-tetramethoxy-flavone (5), sinensetin (6), kaempferol (7), tiliroside (8), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (9) and rutin (10). The structures of the above compounds were established by a combination of spectroscopic methods, including HR-ESI-MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMQC and HMBC spectra. All compounds were isolated from and identified in this species for the first time and compounds 1-6 are new for the genus Croton.
1H NMR Fingerprinting of Soybean Extracts, with Emphasis on Identification and Quantification of Isoflavones
Authors: Caligiani Augusta , Palla Gerardo , Maietti Annalisa , Cirlini Martina , Brandolini Vincenzo
Published: February 2010

1H NMR spectra were recorded of methanolic extracts of seven soybean varieties (Glycine max.), cultivated using traditional and organic farming techniques. It was possible to identify signals belonging to the groups of amino acids, carbohydrates, organic acids and aromatic substances in the spectra. In the aromatic zone, the isoflavone signals were of particular interest: genistein, daidzein, genistin, daidzin, malonylgenistin, acetylgenistin, malonyldaidzin signals were assigned and these compounds were quantified, resulting in accordance with published data, and further demonstrating the potential of the NMR technique in food science.
Achieving Network Level Privacy in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Shaikh Riaz Ahmed , Jameel Hassan , D’Auriol Brian J. , Lee Heejo , Lee Sungyoung , Song Young-Jae
Published: February 2010

Full network level privacy has often been categorized into four sub-categories: Identity, Route, Location and Data privacy. Achieving full network level privacy is a critical and challenging problem due to the constraints imposed by the sensor nodes (e.g., energy, memory and computation power), sensor networks (e.g., mobility and topology) and QoS issues (e.g., packet reach-ability and timeliness). In this paper, we proposed two new identity, route and location privacy algorithms and data privacy mechanism that addresses this problem. The proposed solutions provide additional trustworthiness and reliability at modest cost of memory and energy. Also, we proved that our proposed solutions provide protection against various privacy disclosure attacks, such as eavesdropping and hop-by-hop trace back attacks.
Reliable Asynchronous Image Transfer Protocol in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks
Authors: Lee Joa-Hyoung , Jung In-Bum
Published: February 2010

In the paper, we propose a reliable asynchronous image transfer protocol, RAIT. RAIT applies a double sliding window method to node-to-node transfer, with one sliding window for the receiving queue, which is used to prevent packet loss caused by communication failure between nodes, and another sliding window for the sending queue, which prevents packet loss caused by network congestion. The routing node prevents packet loss between nodes by preemptive scheduling of multiple packets for a given image. RAIT implements a double sliding window method by means of a cross-layer design between the RAIT layer, routing layer, and queue layer. We demonstrate that RAIT guarantees a higher reliability of image transmission compared to the existing protocols.
Anaerobic Treatment of Concentrated Black Water in a UASB Reactor at a Short HRT
Authors: De Graaff Marthe S. , Temmink Hardy , Zeeman Grietje , Buisman Cees J. N.
Published: February 2010

This research describes the feasibility of applying a UASB reactor for the treatment of concentrated black (toilet) water at 25 °C. On average 78% of the influent load of COD at an HRT of 8.7 days was removed. Produced methane can be converted to 56 MJ/p/y as electricity and 84 MJ/p/y as heat by combined heat and power (CHP). Minimum reactor volume at full scale was calculated to be 63L per person (for black water containing 16 gCOD/L produced at 5 L/p/d) and this is more than two times smaller than other type of reactors for anaerobic treatment of concentrated black water.
Comparative structure and ontogeny of the foliar domatia in three neotropical myrmecophytes
Authors: Leroy Céline , Jauneau Alain , Quilichini Angélique , Dejean Alain , Orivel Jérôme
Published: February 2010

The origin and timing of the appearance of leaf domatia during the ontogeny of plants are important evolutionary traits driving the maintenance of ant–plant associations. In this study conducted in French Guiana on Hirtella physophora, Maieta guianensis, and Tococa guianensis, we focused on the formation and development of leaf domatia having different morphological origins. We modeled the timing of the onset of these domatia, then compared their morpho‐anatomical structure. Although the ontogenetic development of the domatia differed between species, they developed very early in the plant's ontogeny so that we did not note differences in the timing of the onset of these domatia. For H. physophora seedlings, a transitional leaf forms before the appearance of fully developed domatia, whereas in M. guianensis and T. guianensis the domatia forms abruptly without transitional leaves. Moreover, in all cases, the morpho‐anatomical structure of the domatia differed considerably from the lamina. All three species had similar morpho‐anatomical characteristics for the domatia, indicating a convergence in their structural and functional characteristics. This convergence between taxonomically distant plant species bearing domatia having different morphological origins could be interpreted as a product of the plant's evolution toward the morphology and anatomy most likely to maximize ant recruitment and long‐term residence.
Effects of Resolution on the Simulation of Boundary‐layer Clouds and the Partition of Kinetic Energy to Subgrid Scales
Authors: Cheng Anning , Xu Kuan‐Man , Stevens Bjorn
Published: February 2010

Seven boundary‐layer cloud cases are simulated with UCLA‐LES (The University of California, Los Angeles – large eddy simulation) model with different horizontal and vertical gridspacing to investigate how the results depend on gridspacing. Some variables are more sensitive to horizontal gridspacing, while others are more sensitive to vertical gridspacing, and still others are sensitive to both horizontal and vertical gridspacings with similar or opposite trends. For cloud‐related variables having the opposite dependence on horizontal and vertical gridspacings, changing the gridspacing proportionally in both directions gives the appearance of convergence. In this study, we mainly discuss the impact of subgrid‐scale (SGS) kinetic energy (KE) on the simulations with coarsening of horizontal and vertical gridspacings. A running‐mean operator is used to separate the KE of the high‐resolution benchmark simulations into that of resolved scales of coarse‐resolution simulations and that of SGSs. The diagnosed SGS KE is compared with that parameterized by the Smagorinsky‐Lilly SGS scheme at various gridspacings. It is found that the parameterized SGS KE for the coarse‐resolution simulations is usually underestimated but the resolved KE is unrealistically large, compared to benchmark simulations. However, the sum of resolved and SGS KEs is about the same for simulations with various gridspacings. The partitioning of SGS and resolved heat and moisture transports is consistent with that of SGS and resolved KE, which means that the parameterized transports are underestimated but resolved‐scale transports are overestimated. On the whole, energy shifts to large‐scales as the horizontal gridspacing becomes coarse, hence the size of clouds and the resolved circulation increase, the clouds become more stratiform‐like with an increase in cloud fraction, cloud liquid‐water path and surface precipitation; when coarse vertical gridspacing is used, cloud sizes do not change, but clouds are produced less frequently. Cloud fraction and liquid water path decrease.
The Case: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ganglion Cyst
Authors: Morrison Trevor C. , Demos Terrence C. , Lomasney Laurie M. , Rees Harold
Published: February 2010

A 30-year-old man reported right knee pain along the medial joint line for several months. Medial meniscal tear was suspected. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained (
Figure
).
Measuring joint involvement in polyarticular psoriatic arthritis: An introduction of alternatives
Authors: Englbrecht M. , Wang Y. , Ronneberger M. , Manger B. , Vastesaeger N. , Veale D. J. , Schett G.
Published: February 2010

Objective

To compare the reliability of 3 different simplified joint counts with the gold standard 66 swollen/68 tender joint count (JC66/68) for assessing clinical response in patients with polyarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

The 28–joint count (JC28), in the same way that it is used in rheumatoid arthritis, and 2 measures including distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints (the 32–joint count [JC32], including all finger joints as well as wrists and knees, and 36–joint count [JC36], which additionally included elbows and ankles), were compared with the JC66/68 in 182 patients using data from the Infliximab Multinational Psoriatic Arthritis Controlled Trial 2 trial database. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to compare the swollen and tender JC28, JC32, and JC36 with the corresponding results of the total JC66/68. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses based on the individual measures were compared, and their ability in predicting a clinical response of ACR 20% improvement (ACR20) based on the JC66/68 was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve via logistic regression and the maximum Youden indices at weeks 14 and 24.

Results

All simplified joint counts were highly correlated to the standard JC66/68 both for tenderness and swelling at each individual visit (Pearson's correlation coefficients consistently >0.8, n = 182–200; P < 0.0001). Logistic regression for ACR20 response showed that area under the curve was constantly >0.91, with comparable results for Youden indices of the simplified joint counts.

Conclusion

All simplified joint counts considered seemed sufficiently sensitive and specific to measure clinical response in trial patients with polyarticular PsA when compared with the JC66/68, no matter whether DIP joints were included (the JC36 and JC32) or excluded (the JC28). Further research will be needed to clarify this issue.
Night pain in hip and knee osteoarthritis: A focus group study
Authors: Woolhead Gillian , Gooberman‐Hill Rachael , Dieppe Paul , Hawker Gillian
Published: February 2010

Objective

To explore the experience of night pain in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Twenty‐eight focus groups were conducted in 6 centers in 4 countries, with a total of 130 men and women with hip or knee OA. Two focus groups were excluded from the analysis, leaving 26 groups comprising 123 participants. Sampling was performed to ensure approximately equal representation of individuals with mild, moderate, and severe pain, hip OA, and knee OA. Format and methodology were standardized across centers, and participants described and discussed their experience of night pain. The focus groups were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed by identifying emergent codes that were grouped and compared, resulting in the identification of key themes.

Results

The majority of participants (81%) experienced night pain; the remaining 19%, who reported no night pain, were from the moderate or severe pain focus groups. Similar night pain experiences were expressed by the hip and knee OA participants. Night pain was also present regardless of the stage of OA, but severity increased as the disease progressed. Night pain was variable and intermittent. Three key themes were identified: prediction of night pain, sleep disturbance, and adaptations and treatment regimens.

Conclusion

Due to its variability and complexity, the assessment of night pain should take into account the importance of the patient narrative. Also, night pain may not be a distinct marker of disease severity, and this may have implications for its use as a priority indicator for total joint replacement.
Effects of common footwear on joint loading in osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Shakoor Najia , Sengupta Mondira , Foucher Kharma C. , Wimmer Markus A. , Fogg Louis F. , Block Joel A.
Published: February 2010

Objective

Elevated joint loads during walking have been associated with the severity and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Footwear may have the potential to alter these loads. This study compares the effects of several common shoe types on knee loading in subjects with OA of the knee.

Methods

Thirty‐one subjects (10 men, 21 women) with radiographic and symptomatic knee OA underwent gait analyses using an optoelectronic camera system and multicomponent force plate. In each case, gait was evaluated during barefoot walking and while wearing 4 different shoe types: 1) clogs, 2) stability shoes, 3) flat walking shoes, and 4) flip‐flops. Peak knee loads were compared between the different footwear conditions.

Results

Overall, the clogs and stability shoes resulted in a significantly higher (∼15% higher) peak knee adduction moment (mean ± SD 3.1 ± 0.7 and 3.0 ± 0.7 divided by body weight [BW] × height [H] multiplied by 100, respectively; P < 0.05) compared with that of flat walking shoes (mean ± SD 2.8 ± 0.7 %BW × H), flip‐flops (mean ± SD 2.7 ± 0.8 %BW × H), and barefoot walking (mean ± SD 2.7 ± 0.7 %BW × H). There were no statistically significant differences in knee loads with the flat walking shoes and flip‐flops compared with barefoot walking.

Conclusion

These data confirm that footwear may have significant effects on knee loads during walking in subjects with OA of the knee. Flexibility and heel height may be important differentiating characteristics of shoes that affect knee loads. In light of the strong relationship between knee loading and OA, the design and biomechanical effects of modern footwear should be more closely evaluated in terms of their effects on the disease.
The independent effect of pain in one versus two knees on the presence of low physical function in a multicenter knee osteoarthritis study
Authors: White Daniel K. , Zhang Yuqing , Felson David T. , Niu Jingbo , Keysor Julie J. , Nevitt Michael C. , Lewis Cora E. , Torner James C. , Neogi Tuhina
Published: February 2010

Objective

Although knee pain severity is thought to greatly impact function, the additional contribution of pain in 1 versus 2 knees is not known. We examined the relationship between unilateral versus bilateral pain with low physical functioning at baseline and 30 months while accounting for knee pain severity.

Methods

The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study is a cohort study of people who have or are at high risk for knee osteoarthritis. We defined low physical function as Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index physical functioning scores ≥28 of 68, consistent with poor functional outcome. Incidence and improvement from low physical function were defined as scores that declined below and improved above this threshold at 30 months. We examined the association between pain in 1 or 2 knees with low physical function with risk ratios (RRs) adjusting for known confounders.

Results

Of the 2,069 subjects (mean ± SD age 63 ± 8 years, mean ± SD body mass index 31 ± 6 kg/m2, 63% women), the prevalence of low physical functioning was 50% lower among persons with unilateral pain compared with those with bilateral pain (adjusted prevalence ratio 0.5 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.3–0.7]). Of those without low physical functioning at baseline, the risk of incidence at 30 months was 30% less for unilateral compared with bilateral pain (adjusted RR 0.7 [95% CI 0.5–1.0]). Of those with low physical functioning at baseline, improvement was 1.7 times more likely for those with unilateral compared with bilateral pain (adjusted RR 1.7 [95% CI 1.3–2.2]).

Conclusion

The presence of pain in 1 versus 2 knees provides important information regarding present and future physical functioning.
The health of California's immigrant hired farmworkers
Authors: Villarejo Don , McCurdy Stephen A. , Bade Bonnie , Samuels Steve , Lighthall David , Williams Daniel
Published: February 2010

Background

Hispanic immigrant workers dominate California's hired farm workforce. Little is known about their health status; even less is known about those lacking employment authorization.

Methods

The California Agricultural Workers Health Survey (CAWHS) was a statewide cross‐sectional household survey conducted in 1999. Six hundred fifty‐four workers completed in‐person interviews, comprehensive physical examinations, and personal risk behavior interviews.

Results

The CAWHS PE Sample is comprised mostly of young Mexican men who lack health insurance and present elevated prevalence of indicators of chronic disease: overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, and high serum cholesterol. The self‐reported, cumulative, farm work career incidence of paid claims for occupational injury under workers compensation was 27% for males and 11% for females.

Conclusions

The survey finds elevated prevalence of indicators of chronic disease but lack of health care access. Participants without employment authorization reported a greater prevalence of high‐risk behaviors, such as binge drinking, and were less knowledgeable about workplace protections. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:387–397, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Safety walkarounds predict injury risk and reduce injury rates in the construction industry
Authors: Mikkelsen K.L. , Spangenberg S. , Kines P.
Published: February 2010

Background

“Safe Workplace”—a simplified and educational version of the Finnish building construction methodology involving safety walkarounds where a number of safety indicators are inspected and evaluated—is in widespread use in the Danish construction sector to evaluate physical safety standards proactively at construction work sites.

Methods

Data from the construction of the Copenhagen Metro were analyzed to determine the method's ability to predict injury risk related to joint responsibilities and individual worker responsibilities.

Results

A statistically significant association between the risk level as measured by the Safe Workplace methodology and injury risk was found. The relative risk of injury increased with the number of safety indicators violated and was elevated for safety indicators reflecting both individual and joint safety responsibility. The observed injury risk was not elevated in the post‐safety walkaround period for safety indicators of individual responsibility, but the joint responsibility indicators retained an elevated injury risk level.

Conclusions

The data support the hypothesis that safety walkarounds both predict and prevent injuries. Safety indicators of individual responsibility are more likely to be corrected than those of joint responsibility. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53: 601–607, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alcohol consumption and work‐related injuries among farmers in Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
Authors: Wang Limin , Wheeler Krista , Bai Li , Stallones Lorann , Dong Yanmei , Ge Jie , Xiang Huiyun
Published: February 2010

Background

Alcohol consumption has been found to be associated with work‐related injuries among workers around the world, but this association has not well been studied among agricultural workers in China.

Methods

This population‐based survey aimed to study the association between alcohol use and work‐related agricultural injury. Farmers in a northeastern province of China were questioned about work‐related injury in the past year (May 2007–April 2008), alcohol use, farming practices, and sociodemographic factors. The Chi‐square test and logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the role of alcohol drinking in agricultural injuries.

Results

Among 2,050 farmers who completed the survey, the 12‐month prevalence of work‐related injury was 12.2%. The leading external cause of injury was exposure to mechanical force. The odds of injury among farmers with past month drinking, who drank distilled spirits, and reported intoxication were respectively 1.77 (95% CI = 1.27–2.47), 1.89 (95% CI = 1.35–2.66), 2.12 (95% CI = 1.42–3.11). The odds of injury also significantly increased with greater average amounts of pure alcohol per day, with increased frequency of drinking per week, and with greater reported years of drinking. Each alcohol use variable was associated with injury in logistic regression models while controlling for sex, age, years of farm work, months of farm work in the past 12 months, driving a motor vehicle, and agricultural machinery use.

Conclusions

We found a significant association between alcohol consumption and work‐related injuries among farmers. Our findings stress the need for culturally appropriate interventions which affect alcohol use and prevent injuries among Chinese farmers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:825–835, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.