bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The origin and disappearance of the late Pleistocene–early Holocene short-lived coastal wetlands along the Carmel coast, Israel
Authors: Sivan Dorit , Greenbaum Noam , Cohen-Seffer Ronit , Sisma-Ventura Guy , Almogi-Labin Ahuva
Published: June 2011

The formation of short-lived backswamps along the Carmel coast of Israel coincides with the rapid global sea-level rise during the late Pleistocene–early Holocene transition. The current study shows that the wetland phenomena originated around 10,000 yr ago and dried up shortly before the local Pre-Pottery Neolithic humans settled on the wetland dark clay sediments 9430 cal yr BP. Palaeontological and stable-isotope data were used in this study to elucidate previously published sedimentological reconstruction obtained from a core drilled into the western trough of the Carmel coastal plain. The water body contained typical brackish calcareous fauna, with variable numerical abundance and low species richness of ostracods and foraminifera. The δ18O and δ13C of the ostracodCyprideis torosashow close similarity to the present Pleistocene coastal aquifer isotopic values. This study therefore concludes that the wetlands were shallow-water bodies fed by groundwater, with no evidence of sea-water mixing. It seems that they developed as the result of high groundwater levels, transportation of sediments landward, and deposition of sand bars at the paleo-river mouths. It is still not fully understood why these wetlands deteriorated abruptly and disappeared within less than 1000 yr.
Holocene eolian activation as a proxy for broad-scale landscape change on the Gila River Indian Community, Arizona
Authors: Wright David K. , Forman Steven L. , Waters Michael R. , Ravesloot John C.
Published: June 2011

Eolian sediments are common within the middle Gila River Valley, southern Arizona, and reflect variability in eolian and fluvial processes during the late Holocene. This study focuses on deciphering the stratigraphic record of eolian deposition and associated luminescence dating of quartz extracts by single aliquot regeneration (SAR) protocols. Stratigraphic assessment coupled with luminescence ages indicates that there are four broad eolian depositional events at ca. 3145 ± 220 yr, 1950–1360 yr, 800 ± 100 yr, and 690–315 yr. This nascent chronology, correlated with regional archeological evidence and paleoclimate proxy datasets, leads to two general conclusions: (1) loess deposits, transverse-dune formation and sand-sheet deposition in the late Holocene are probably linked to flow variability of the Gila River, though the last two events are concordant with regional megadroughts; and (2) the stability of eolian landforms since the 19th century reflects the lack of eolian sediment supply during a period of fluvial incision, resulting in Entisol formation on dunes. The prime catalyst of eolian activity during the late Holocene is inferred to be sediment supply, driven by climate periodicity and variable flow within the Gila River catchment.
Immortalization and characterization of normal oral epithelial cells without using HPV and SV40 genes
Authors: Kibe Toshiro , Kishida Michiko , Kamino Masayuki , Iijima Mikio , Chen Lin , Habu Mika , Miyawaki Akihiko , Hijioka Hiroshi , Nakamura Norifumi , Kiyono Tohru , Kishida Shosei
Published: June 2011

Background: As oral neoplasm often originates from epithelium, an immortalized epithelial cell line could be useful for the research of oral carcinogenesis. Although several oral epithelial cell lines were reported, they were either derived from cancer or immortalized by human papilloma virus or simian virus 40 genes, which have the potential to induce carcinogenesis.

Materials and methods: We established two immortalized cell lines from human oral epithelium by transducing mutant cyclin dependent kinase 4, cyclin D1, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase with or without dominant‐negative p53 into primary‐cultured normal oral gingival epithelial cells using recombinant lentivirus vectors and named them MOE (mouth‐ordinary‐epithelium) 1a and MOE1b, respectively.

Results: MOE1 cells could be passaged for nine months or more, and the morphology of the cells did not change in comparison with that of fresh primary‐cultured epithelial cells. MOE1 cells did not show epithelial–mesenchymal transition. MOE1b cells retain functional p53 and were considered to have less risk of genomic instabilities. Anchorage‐independent growth was not observed in MOE1 cells. The expressions of cancer‐associated genes including keratin‐17 were not elevated in MOE1 cells, whereas oral cancer‐derived HSC‐2 cells showed overexpression of them. Furthermore, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor‐α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, and MMP‐9 were induced in response to lipopolysaccharide or heat‐killed bacterium in MOE1 cells.

Discussion: MOE1 cells kept the characteristics of normal epithelial cells without acquiring typical features of cancer cells and they could be useful not only for the study of oral neoplasm but also for other oral diseases.
Antioxidant enzymes induced by repeated intake of excess energy in the form of high-fat, high-carbohydrate meals are not sufficient to block oxidative stress in healthy lean individuals
Authors: Lim Sangbin , Won Hyeran , Kim Yeonghwan , Jang Miran , Jyothi K. R. , Kim Youngseol , Dandona Paresh , Ha Joohun , Soo Kim Sung
Published: June 2011

It has been reported that high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meals increase oxidative stress and inflammation. We examined whether repeated intake of excess energy in the form of HFHC meals alters reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondrial proteins in mononuclear cells, and to determine whether this is associated with insulin resistance. We recruited healthy lean individuals (n 10). The individuals were divided into two groups: one group (n 5) ingested 10878·4 kJ/d (2600 kcal/d; 55–70 % carbohydrate, 9·5–16 % fat, 7–20 % protein) recommended by the Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans for 4 d and the other group (n 5) ingested a HFHC meal containing 14 644 kJ/d (3500 kcal/d). Then, measurements of blood insulin and glucose levels, together with suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS-3) expression levels, were performed in both groups. Also, cellular and mitochondrial ROS levels as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Expression levels of cytosolic and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, and mitochondrial complex proteins were analysed. Repeated intake of HFHC meals induced an increase in homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), together with an increase in SOCS-3 expression levels. While a single intake of the HFHC meal increased cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS, repeated intake of HFHC meals reduced them and increased the levels of MDA, cytosolic and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, and several mitochondrial complex proteins. Repeated intake of HFHC meals induced cellular antioxidant mechanisms, which in turn increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and SOCS-3 expression levels, induced hyperinsulinaemia and increased HOMA-IR, an index of insulin resistance. In conclusion, excess energy added to a diet can generate detrimental effects in a short period.
Phenological diversity in the interactions between winter moth (Operophtera brumata) larvae and parasitoid wasps in sub-arctic mountain birch forest
Authors: Vindstad O.P.L. , Hagen S.B. , Jepsen J.U. , Kapari L. , Schott T. , Ims R.A.
Published: June 2011

Population cycles of the winter moth (Operophtera brumata) in sub-arctic coastal birch forests show high spatiotemporal variation in amplitude. Peak larval densities range from levels causing little foliage damage to outbreaks causing spatially extensive defoliation. Moreover, outbreaks typically occur at or near the altitudinal treeline. It has been hypothesized that spatiotemporal variation inO. brumatacycle amplitude results from climate-induced variation in the degree of phenological matching between trophic levels, possibly between moth larvae and parasitoids. The likelihood of mismatching phenologies between larvae and parasitoids is expected to depend on how specialized parasitoids are, both as individual species and as a guild, to attacking specific larval developmental stages (i.e. instars). To investigate the larval instar-specificity of parasitoids, we studied the timing of parasitoid attacks relative to larval phenology. We employed an observational study design, with sequential sampling over the larval period, along an altitudinal gradient harbouring a pronounced treeline outbreak ofO. brumata. Within the larval parasitoid guild, containing seven species groups, the timing of attack by different groups followed a successional sequence throughout the moth's larval period and each group attacked 1–2 instars. Such phenological diversity within parasitoid guilds may lower the likelihood of climate-induced trophic mismatches between victim populations and many/all of their enemies. Parasitism rates declined with increasing altitude for most parasitoid groups and for the parasitoid guild as a whole. However, the observed spatiotemporal parasitism patterns provided no clear evidence for or against altitudinal mismatch between larval and parasitoid phenology.
First report ofTroglotrema acutum(Digenea, Troglotrematidae) in the Eurasian badgerMeles melesin the Iberian Peninsula and presumptive lesions caused in the host
Authors: Ribas A. , Molina-Vacas G. , Boadella M. , Rodríguez-Teijeiro J.D. , Fernández-Cardo R. , Arrizabalaga A.
Published: June 2011

A total of 109 badgerMeles melesskulls from Catalonia (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula) were studied for helminths. The tremadodeTroglotrema acutumis reported here for the first time in the Eurasian badger in the Iberian Peninsula and southern Europe. Three methodologies were used to detect this trematode: an examination for surface lesions, axial computed tomography and fresh skull dissection. The damage caused in the affected skulls is described, along with details regarding the use of computed tomography to detect hyperostosis, leakage in the sinus structure and bone surface erosion in the affected skulls.
Leiomyosarcoma of the tonsil
Authors: Jones B F , Srinivasan V , Gumparthy K , Hughes D
Published: June 2011

Objective:

We report a case of leiomyosarcoma arising in the tonsil in a 73-year-old man.

Method:

Case report and review of the English language literature (using Pubmed, Ovid and Proquest databases).

Results:

To our knowledge, this is the first case of tonsillar leiomyosarcoma to be reported in the English language literature. Our patient presented with haemoptysis, unilateral odynophagia and an ulcerated, exophytic lesion of the tonsil. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma, and the patient was treated with radical radiotherapy.

Conclusion:

Leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare in the head and neck; the common sites of origin are the skin and sinonasal tract. The overall prognosis is poor.
Cross-sectional study of phoneme and rhyme monitoring abilities in children between 7 and 13 years
Authors: SASISEKARAN JAYANTHI , WEBER-FOX CHRISTINE
Published: June 2011

We investigated phonemic competence in production in three age groups of children (7 and 8, 10 and 11, 12 and 13 years) using rhyme and phoneme monitoring. Participants were required to name target pictures silently while monitoring covert speech for the presence or absence of a rhyme or phoneme match. Performance in the verbal tasks was compared to a nonverbal control task in which participants monitored tone sequence pairs for a pattern match. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the three age groups in phoneme monitoring, whereas similar differences were limited to the younger age groups in rhyme monitoring. This finding supported early and ongoing acquisition of rhyme- and later acquisition of segment-level units. In addition, the 7- and 8-year-olds were significantly slower in monitoring phonemes within consonant clusters compared to the 10- and 11-year-olds and in monitoring both singleton phonemes and phonemes within clusters compared to the 12- and 13-year-olds. Regression analysis revealed that age accounted for approximately 30% variance in the nonverbal and 60% variance in the verbal monitoring tasks. We attribute the observed differences to the emergence of cognitive processes such as segmentation skills that are critical to performing the verbal monitoring tasks.
Narrative competence and underlying mechanisms in children with pragmatic language impairment
Authors: KETELAARS MIEKE PAULINE , JANSONIUS KINO , CUPERUS JULIANE , VERHOEVEN LUDO
Published: June 2011

This study investigated narrative competence in children with pragmatic language impairment (PLI) and the extent to which it is related to impairments in theory of mind and executive functioning (EF). Narrative competence was assessed using a retelling design in a group of 77 children with PLI and a control group of 77 typically developing children, aged 5. The children with PLI showed an overall poorer narrative competence as apparent in measures of narrative productivity, organization of content, and cohesion. Some of these differences could be attributed to language impairments. The remaining differences could be partly interpreted as pragmatic deficits. In typically developing children, narrative productivity skills were related to both theory of mind and EF, but only theory of mind explained unique variance once language ability was added to the model. In the PLI group, however, narrative productivity skills were solely related to EF, over and above language abilities. Organization of story content and cohesion were not related to any of the cognitive measures for either group. The results indicate that children with PLI show narrative deficits and that these deficits are related to EF.
EUROPEAN LANGUAGE POLICY: ASSESSMENT, LEARNING, AND THE CEFR
Authors: Jones Neil , Saville Nick
Published: June 2011

This article describes how language policy is formed at a European level, focusing on the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). The CEFR's prominent role in assessment has led to criticisms of its adequacy as a model for learning and fears that it is being used as an instrument of centralization and harmonization. First, we argue for studying the CEFR's effect on language policy as a case of impact, as this concept is understood within language assessment. We refer to experience with Asset Languages, developed as part of the United Kingdom's national languages strategy. Second, we agree with many commentators who insist on the framework's “flexible and context-amenable” nature. If use of the CEFR is made prescriptive and closed, it indeed becomes a straitjacket. What is needed is engagement with the complexity of specific contexts. We introduce the European Survey on Language Competences, a European Union (EU) initiative scheduled for 2011, which will further raise the profile of the CEFR as an assessment framework. This project should contribute to achieving comparability of measures and standards across languages. At the same time it underlines the need to develop contextualized, practical ways of realizing the CEFR's potential as a framework for teaching and learning.
Geography or pathology? Regional variation in atrial septal defect closure rates and techniques
Authors: Walker Wendy L. , Karamlou Tara , Diggs Brian S. , Ehieli Eric I. , Caddell Kirk A. , de la Cruz J. S. , Welke Karl F.
Published: June 2011

Background

Since the introduction of percutaneous closure in the United States, rates of secundum atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closures have increased substantially. Whether or not closure rates are uniform or vary due to differences in regional practice patterns is unknown. We sought to investigate this by comparing regional rates of closure across Florida.

Methods

We identified all atrial septal defect closures from 2001 to 2006 in the Florida State Inpatient Database. Using small area analysis, zip codes were assigned to Hospital Referral Regions based on where patients were most likely to go for closure. We obtained population-normalised rates of overall, percutaneous, and surgical closure.

Results

Of 1830 atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closures from 2001 to 2006, 751 were surgical and 1004 were percutaneous. The statewide closure rate was 1.91 per 100,000 people per year; regional rates varied 3.8-fold from 0.78 to 2.94 per 100,000 people per year. Percutaneous rates varied sevenfold from 0.25 to 1.75 per 100,000 people per year, while surgical rates varied 2.71-fold from 0.53 to 1.44 per 100,000 people per year.

Conclusions

Despite a consistent prevalence of atrial septal defects, and patent foramens ovale, rates of repair vary across regions, suggesting that closure is driven by provider practice patterns rather than patient pathology. Efforts should be directed towards increasing consensus regarding the appropriate, evidence-based indications for closure so as to avoid the costs and potential negative sequelae of over- or undertreatment.
Critical coarctation in an extremely low birth weight pre-term infant
Authors: Bialkowski Anja , Baden Winfried , Franz Axel R. , Poets Christian F. , Hofbeck Michael , Ziemer Gerhard
Published: June 2011

Neonatal interventions for critical aortic coarctation may be associated with considerable morbidity and mortality if the patient is extremely premature. We report the successful treatment of critical coarctation in a 25-week, 740-gram infant using initial clipping of the duct until continued prostaglandin E1 infusion delayed end-to-end anastomosis 7 weeks later.
An open-sesame approach to English noun phrases: defining the NP (with an introduction to the special issue)
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-INSUA ANA ELINA , PÉREZ-GUERRA JAVIER
Published: June 2011

The category of the noun phrase in English has received much attention in the literature. This article discusses the main defining features of the category from different theoretical angles. Issues such as its structural status, the determination and characterisation of its (morphosyntactic, semantic, cognitive) head, the structural slots which are available in the phrase, and the different possibilities as far as word order is concerned will be approached from structural, syntactic, functional and cognitive perspectives. In the second half of the article, after a review of recent literature on the English noun phrase, we offer a summary of the research included in this issue.
The Big Mess Construction: interactions between the lexicon and constructions
Authors: KIM JONG-BOK , SELLS PETER
Published: June 2011

The so-called Big Mess Construction (BMC) (e.g.so prominent a punctuation), introduced by a limited set of degree words, places an adjectival expression in the predeterminer position. In movement approaches, such idiosyncratic properties of the BMC have been attributed to the interaction of functional projections and movement operations, whereas in surface-oriented analyses focus has been placed on the supposition of special constructions and their constructional properties. In this article, we show that neither of these two previous perspectives captures the variations and flexibility of the construction in question satisfactorily. Our approach adopts the view that degree words are functors selecting their head, and attributes the peculiarities to the interactions between the lexical properties of the degree items and the constructional constraints in question.
How did you Learn SharePoint? From Bill Gates to “Click and See What Happens”!
Authors: Fishleigh Jackie
Published: June 2011

Jackie Fishleigh from Payne Hicks Beach recently undertook a project to implement a know how database of documents for the firm's Company Commercial Department. Prior to starting she tried to find out how colleagues learnt to use the software and she discusses her findings in this article.
Managing Conflict and Stress in the Workplace: Theory and Practice
Authors: Palferman David
Published: June 2011

This article covers, and expands on, a presentation of the same name given at the BIALL Conference held in Brighton in 2010. The Health and Safety Executive Management Standards approach for tackling the cause of work-related stress was launched in November 2004. Since the launch, the HSE has worked with many thousands of organisations within the United Kingdom to implement the Management Standards approach. This work has provided the HSE with the opportunity to learn how best to manage the causes of work-related stress in the workplace.
Research and Resources for Competition Lawyers
Authors: Harrison Daniel , Bunker Lisa
Published: June 2011

Daniel Harrison, professional support lawyer, and Lisa Bunker, senior information officer, at Clifford Chance LLP explain why competition law research is so heavily based on European Union (EU) law and briefly describe the organisational framework and where to find key documents.
Getting some Feedback
Authors: Mattis Cathy
Published: June 2011

Cathy Mattis shares some ideas for conducting KM surveys within a law firm.
Laboratory simulations of astrophysical jets
Authors: Lebedev Sergey V. , Suzuki-Vidal Francisco , Ciardi Andrea , Bocchi Matteo , Bland Simon N. , Burdiak Guy , Chittenden Jerry P. , de Grouchy Phil , Hall Gareth N. , Harvey-Thompson Adam , Marocchino Alberto , Swalding George , Frank Adam , Blackman Eric G. , Camenzind Max
Published: June 2011

Collimated outflows (jets) are ubiquitous in the universe, appearing around sources as diverse as protostars and extragalactic supermassive black holes. Jets are thought to be magnetically collimated, and launched from a magnetized accretion disk surrounding a compact gravitating object. We have developed the first laboratory experiment to address time-dependent, episodic phenomena relevant to the poorly understood jet acceleration and collimation region (Ciardi et al., 2009). The experiments were performed on the MAGPIE pulsed power facility (1.5 MA, 250 ns) at Imperial College. The experimental results show the periodic ejections of magnetic bubbles naturally evolving into a heterogeneous jet propagating inside a channel made of self-collimated magnetic cavities. The results provide a unique view of the possible transition from a relatively steady-state jet launching to the observed highly structured outflows.
Anomalous momentum transport in astrophysical return-current beam plasmas - the two-dimensional electromagnetic case
Authors: Lee Kuang Wu , Büchner Jörg
Published: June 2011

Anomalous momentum transport in a typical astrophysical return-current beam plasma system is studied by means of two-dimensional PIC code simulations. A forward going hot electron beam compensated by a cold return beam is considered. A linear dispersion analysis predicts the linerarly unstable wave modes. Our simulation reveals that the nonlinerly generated waves and the consequent wave-particle interactions cause the electron heating and the relaxation of the electron drifts. Both, the developments of electrostatic and electromagnetic waves are analyzed as well as the roles they play in energy conversion. In particular it is found that the relaxation of electron drifts is stronger if the electromagnetic turbulence is taken into account.
Some Properties of prominence eruption associated CMEs during 1996-2009
Authors: Mittal Nishant
Published: June 2011

Solar prominences can be viewed as pre-eruptive states of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Eruptive prominences are the phenomena most related to CMEs observed in the lower layers of the solar atmosphere. We have made a comprehensive statistical study on the CMEs associated with prominence eruptions. We have examined the distribution of CMEs speed and acceleration for prominence eruptions associated CMEs. We also examine the speed-acceleration correlation for these events and there is no correlation between speed and acceleration. The mean angular width is almost similar to normal CMEs. The number variation during solar cycle of prominence activities is similar to the sunspot cycle.
Exploiting solar wind time series correlation with magnetospheric response by using an hybrid neuro-wavelet approach
Authors: Napoli Christian , Bonanno Francesco , Capizzi Giacomo
Published: June 2011

The studies about the Sun rise a strong interest regarding modifications caused by the solar activity on the Earth. For almost a century in literature was discussed the problem of forecasting and analysis of the space weather, which in his definition covers both the near-earth space and the biospheric affection due to the environmental interaction with the Sun. In particular in the last years increased the attention for magnetospheric response in conjunction with the technological infrastructure and the biosphere itself. This to prevent i.e. spacecraft failures or possible treats to human health. Since the main effect of the activity of the Sun is the solar wind, rises the aim to found a correlation between itself and the localized variations induced on the magnetosphere being the purpose to predict long-term variation of the magnetic field from solar wind time series. As recently proposed for solar wind forecasting, an hybrid approach will be here used than joining the wavelet analysis with the prediction capabilities of recurrent neural networks with an adaptive amplitude activation function algorithm in order to avoid the need to standardize or rescaling the input signal and to match the exact range of the activation function.
CME evolution and 3D reconstruction with STEREO Data
Authors: Orlando A. , Zuccarello F. , Romano P. , Zuccarello F. P. , Mierla M. , Spadaro D. , Ventura R.
Published: June 2011

We describe a CME event, occurred in NOAA 11059 on April 3 2010, using STEREO and MDI/SOHO data. We analyze the CME evolution using data provided by SECCHI-EUVI and COR1 onboard STEREO satellites, and we perform a 3D reconstruction of the CME using the LCT-TP method. Using MDI/SOHO line-of-sight magnetograms we analyze the magnetic configuration of NOAA 11059 and we determine the magnetic helicity trend.
Solar dynamo in two-layer medium
Authors: Popova Helen
Published: June 2011

We studied the problem of the behavior of the magnetic field in the case of two-layer medium. We included of the meridional circulation in this model and investigated the influence of the meridional circulation on the nature of distribution and configuration of the dynamo-waves.
Modeling circumstellar envelope with advanced numerical codes
Authors: Procopio P. , De Rosa A. , Burigana C. , Umana G. , Trigilio C.
Published: June 2011

We propose a modeling study on the formation and evolution of the Circumstellar Envelopes (CSEs) of a sample of selected radio-loud objects, based on an innovative interaction between two codes widely used by the scientific community, but in different fields. CLOUDY (Ferland et al. 1998) is a widely used code to model the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the several objects characterized by clouds of gas heated and ionized by a central object. CosmoMC (Lewis & Bridle 2002) instead is usually used for exploring cosmological parameter space. We investigate here on the exploitation of the sampling performance of the Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) engine of CosmoMC to search for a best fit model of the considered objects through the spectral synthesis capacity of CLOUDY.
Collisionless shocks and particle acceleration: Lessons from studies of heliospheric shocks
Authors: Terasawa Toshio
Published: June 2011

Acceleration processes at astrophysical collisionless shocks are reviewed with a special emphasis on the importance of in situ observations of heliospheric shocks. Topics to be included are nonlinear reaction of shock acceleration process, effect of neutral particles, and electron acceleration.
Quasi-periodic oscillations in solar X-ray sources
Authors: Mészárosová Hana , Karlický Marian , Fárník František
Published: June 2011

We have searched for quasi-periodic oscillations in the hard X-ray emission of solar flares. We have selected 14 flare events which were divided into two groups: a) the events with the X-ray sources located at the flare loop footpoints and b) the events with the X-ray source above the solar limb, i.e. with the loop-top X-ray source. We found that while in the case with the footpoints X-ray sources the quasi-periods of the recorded oscillations were in the interval 2–380 s, in the events with loop-top sources only the quasi-periods longer than 50 s were recognized. These results are probably connected with the MHD oscillation modes of the flaring loop. While the long periods, which are dominant in loop-top sources, are produced by acoustic oscillations along the whole long loop, in the layers close to the loop footpoints also the MHD wave modes in shorter structures with shorter periods are generated.
An overview of thePlanckmission
Authors: Mandolesi N. , Burigana C. , Gruppuso A. , Procopio P. , Ricciardi S.
Published: June 2011

This paper provides an overview of the ESAPlanckmission and its scientific promises.Planckis equipped with a 1.5–m effective aperture telescope with two actively-cooled instruments observing the sky in nine frequency channels from 30 GHz to 857 GHz: the Low Frequency Instrument (LFI) operating at 20 K with pseudo-correlation radiometers, and the High Frequency Instrument (HFI) with bolometers operating at 100 mK. After the successful launch in May 2009,Planckhas already mapped the sky twice (at the time of writing this review) with the expected behavior and it is planned to complete at least two further all-sky surveys. The first scientific results, consisting of an Early Release Compact Source Catalog (ERCSC) and in about twenty papers on instrument performance in flight, data analysis pipeline, and main astrophysical results, will be released on January 2011. The first publications of the main cosmological implications are expected in 2012.
The EST project
Authors: Zuccarello Francesca ,   the EST team
Published: June 2011

EST European Solar Telescope is a pan-european project, presently in its Conceptual Design Study financed by the European Commission in the framework of FP7, involving 29 partners, from 14 different countries. The EST project is aimed at the realization of a 4-m class telescope, characterized by an optical design and a set of instruments optimized for extremely high resolution imaging and spectropolarimetric observations from near UV to NIR. EST will be four times larger than any existing high resolution solar telescope and it is designated with the highest priority among the ground-based, medium term (2016-2020) new projects in the ASTRONET Roadmap (Panel C). The EST instruments will measure fundamental astrophysical processes at their intrinsic scales in the Sun's atmosphere to establish the mechanism of magnetic field generation and removal, and of energy transfer from the surface to the upper solar atmosphere and eventually to the whole heliosphere. The conceptual Design Study started on February 2008 and will finish during 2011. EST will be operational at the same time as major ESA and NASA space missions aimed at studying solar activity.
Global MHD simulations of disk-magnetosphere interactions: accretion and outflows
Authors: Romanova M. M. , Lovelace R. V. E. , Ustyugova G. V. , Koldoba A. V.
Published: June 2011

We outline recent progress in understanding the accretion of plasma to rotating magnetized stars obtained from global axisymmetric (2D) and 3D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations in three main areas: (1.) Formation of jets from disk accretion onto rotating magnetized stars: From simulations where the viscosity and magnetic diffusivity within the disk are described by alpha models, we find long-lasting conical outflows/jets from the disk/magnetosphere boundary in both the case where the star is slowly rotating and where it is rapidly rotating (the “propeller regime”). Most of the mass flux in the outflows is in a hollow cone but inside this cone there is a low-density high-velocity magnetically dominated flow along the open polar field lines of the star. The outflows occur under conditions where the poloidal magnetic flux of the star is bunched up by the accretion disk near the disk/magnetosphere boundary. Recent simulations show that the conical outflows become well-collimated for axial distances of ≲ 20 times the inner disk radius. Exploratory 3D simulations show that conical winds are axisymmetric about the rotational axis (of the star and the disk), even when the dipole field of the star is significantly misaligned. (2.) Formation of intrinsically one-sided jets from disk accretion to rotating magnetized stars: There is strong observational evidence for an asymmetry between the approaching and receding jets from a number of young stars. We discuss the first MHD simulations of the formation asymmetric or one-sided jets arising from disk accretion to a rotating star with an asymmetric (dipole plus quadrupole) magnetic field. (3.) Global axisymmetric and 3D simulations of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in disk accretion onto magnetized stars: In the axisymmetric simulations we observe cases where there is episodic or quasi-periodic burst of accretion similar to that observed in one X ray source. In 3D MHD simulations of accretion onto stars with tilted dipole fields using our Godunov-type code based on the “cubed sphere” grid we find that the density distribution is much less smooth than in the case of the laminar accretion flow described by α–viscosity. Instead, large turbulent cells dominate the flows and are strongly elongated in the azimuthal direction.
Recent results from simulations of the magnetorotational instability
Authors: Stone James M.
Published: June 2011

The nonlinear saturation of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) is best studied through numerical MHD simulations. Recent results of simulations that adopt the local shearing box approximation, and fully global models that follow the entire disk, are described. Outstanding issues remain, such as a first-principles understanding of the dynamo processes that control saturation with no net magnetic flux. Important directions for future work include a better understanding of basic plasma processes, such as reconnection, dissipation, and particle acceleration, in the MHD turbulence driven by the MRI.
Decay of trefoil and other magnetic knots
Authors: Candelaresi Simon , Del Sordo Fabio , Brandenburg Axel
Published: June 2011

Two setups with interlocked magnetic flux tubes are used to study the evolution of magnetic energy and helicity on magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) systems like plasmas. In one setup the initial helicity is zero while in the other it is finite. To see if it is the actual linking or merely the helicity content that influences the dynamics of the system we also consider a setup with unlinked field lines as well as a field configuration in the shape of a trefoil knot. For helical systems the decay of magnetic energy is slowed down by the helicity which decays slowly. It turns out that it is the helicity content, rather than the actual linking, that is significant for the dynamics.
A Natural Hedge for Equity Indexed Annuities
Authors: Bernard Carole , Boyle Phelim P.
Published: June 2011

Equity linked products are popular in many countries. These contracts generally provide a guaranteed return combined with some participation in the market performance, often computed using a complicated formula. Hedging these contracts often presents a real challenge for insurers in particular during a financial crisis. In this paper, we explain how insurers can benefit from selling a pool of different contracts with different sensitivities to certain key variables to reduce risk exposure. We show how they can diversify their menu of policy designs to stabilize the market value of their liabilities against changes in the market volatility and against estimation error in the volatility parameter. We illustrate the methodology with specific examples of equity annuity contracts with opposite sensitivities to vega risk.
THE EXPRESSIVE POWER OF MEMORY LOGICS
Authors: ARECES CARLOS , FIGUEIRA DIEGO , FIGUEIRA SANTIAGO , MERA SERGIO
Published: June 2011

We investigate the expressive power of memory logics. These are modal logics extended with the possibility to store (or remove) the current node of evaluation in (or from) a memory, and to perform membership tests on the current memory. From this perspective, the hybrid logic ℋℒ (↓), for example, can be thought of as a particular case of a memory logic where the memory is an indexed list of elements of the domain.

This work focuses in the case where the memory is a set, and we can test whether the current node belongs to the set or not. We prove that, in terms of expressive power, the memory logics we discuss here lie between the basic modal logic ${\cal K}$ and ℋℒ (↓). We show that the satisfiability problem of most of the logics we cover is undecidable. The only logic with a decidable satisfiability problem is obtained by imposing strong constraints on which elements can be memorized.
Labeled Acetate as a Marker of Astrocytic Metabolism
Authors: Wyss Matthias T , Magistretti Pierre J , Buck Alfred , Weber Bruno
Published: June 2011

Astrocytes have various important roles in brain physiology. To further elucidate the details of astrocytic functions under normal and pathological states, astrocyte-specific measurements are mandatory. For studying brain energy metabolism, the use of the astrocyte-specific energy substrate acetate has proven to be of great value. Since the first applications of labeled acetate for brain studies about 50 years ago, numerous methodologies have been developed and employed in compartment-specific investigations of brain metabolism. Here, we provide an overview of these different methodological approaches and review studies employing acetate labeled with the most commonly used carbon isotopes.
Assisting natural forest regeneration in Northern Ethiopia: one intervention is not enough
Authors: Aerts Raf , November Eva , Hermy Martin , Deckers Jozef , Haile Mitiku , Muys Bart
Published: June 2011

Management strategies aimed at rehabilitating degraded and cleared forests often rely on temporary or permanent exclusion of herbivores (wild animals, livestock or both). But in many cases, this simple management technique is not sufficient to induce ecosystem restoration: many negative effects keep the ecosystem in a suboptimal, low biomass state. The presence of such stable states requires restoration measures to act on multiple stress factors simultaneously.Compensating for all limiting factors is neither practically nor economically feasible. But detailed knowledge about the autoecology of tree species – i.e. their site requirements, regeneration strategies and recruitment dynamics – may be used to tailor management to the most pertinent problems. Here we illustrate this approach with results from forest restoration experiments in grazing exclosures in northern Ethiopia using African wild olive (Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata) as a representative Afromontane climax species.The recruitment of African wild olive is affected by seed limitation, restricted seed dispersal and germination and survival limitation. The exclusion of grazing animals as a single measure to restore forest is not enough. Degraded grazing land moves into a state dominated by persistent shrubs, arresting forest succession and discouraging local stakeholders. Direct sowing or planting of seedlings in fertile patches under selected pioneer shrubs, however, may help to overcome this form of bush encroachment, in particular during years with an above-average rainfall.
Conducting Clinical Trials in Dysphagia
Authors: Carnaby-Mann Giselle
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this tutorial is to provide relevant information on common issues and pitfalls and successful strategies for professionals interested in preparing or participating in clinical dysphagia trials.
How to Conduct Dysphagia Research in the Work Setting: Practical Tips for the Clinician
Authors: Brady Susan L. , Ruroede Kathleen
Published: June 2011

Practical and applied research is not beyond the reach of clinical speech-language pathologists (SLPs). To the contrary, the world of dysphagia research needs “hands-on” practitioners contributing to the body of knowledge. This article will provide practical tips on how SLPs can integrate research into their everyday practice by conducting research in the clinical environment.
Allograft OATS: Decision-Making and Operative Steps
Authors: Fitzpatrick CPT Kelly , Tokish Lt Col John M
Published: June 2011

Articular cartilage injuries present a challenge in terms of definitive treatment in an active population. There are many treatment options available, one of which being allograft osteochondral articular transplant (OAT), in patients with larger chondral injuries. When deciding to perform this procedure, one must be aware of preoperative and intraoperative findings that may change the treatment of a patient with a significant chondral injury. This article will discuss our preferred method of performing allograft OATS along with perioperative management and considerations of these patients.
Low temperature transport properties of Ce-Al metallic glasses
Authors: Zeng Q. S. , Rotundu C. R. , Mao W. L. , Dai J. H. , Xiao Y. M. , Chow P. , Chen X. J. , Qin C. L. , Mao H.-k. , Jiang J. Z.
Published: June 2011

The low temperature transport properties of Ce75−xAl25+x (x = 0, 10, and 15 at. %) metallic glasses were investigated. Magnetic field and composition tuned magnetoresistances changing from negative to positive values were observed at low temperature. It was suggested that these peculiar phenomena were caused by the tunable competition between the Kondo effect and the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida interaction in Ce-Al metallic glass with the variation in Ce content and magnetic field. Further magnetization and Ce-2p3d resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy measurements supported this scenario. These Ce-Al metallic glasses could provide an interesting model system for the investigation of 4f electron behaviors in complex condensed matter with tunable transport properties.
Structural, elastic, and thermal properties of Laves phase ZrV2 under pressure
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Chen Lin , Ma Mingzhen , Zhu Yan , Zhang Suhong , Liu Riping
Published: June 2011

The structural, electronic, elastic and some thermodynamic properties of the cubic C15 structure ZrV2 compound under pressure are investigated by first-principles calculations. Our results for the equilibrium unit cell volume, bulk modulus and band structure are consistent with the calculated and experimental results. Cubic ZrV2 is mechanically stable according to the elastic stability criteria and shows ductile with the G/B and Cauchy pressure analysis. Moreover the pressure and temperature dependence of the bulk modulus, specific heat, Debye temperature and thermal expansion coefficient are discussed, among them our calculated Debye temperature is in good agreement with experiments.
Fluorine effect on As diffusion in Ge
Authors: Impellizzeri G. , Boninelli S. , Priolo F. , Napolitani E. , Spinella C. , Chroneos A. , Bracht H.
Published: June 2011

The enhanced diffusion of donor atoms, via a vacancy (V)-mechanism, severely affects the realization of ultrahigh doped regions in miniaturized germanium (Ge) based devices. In this work, we report a study about the effect of fluorine (F) on the diffusion of arsenic (As) in Ge and give insights on the physical mechanisms involved. With these aims we employed experiments in Ge co-implanted with F and As and density functional theory calculations. We demonstrate that the implantation of F enriches the Ge matrix in V, causing an enhanced diffusion of As within the layer amorphized by F and As implantation and subsequently regrown by solid phase epitaxy. Next to the end-of-range damaged region F forms complexes with Ge interstitials, that act as sinks for V and induce an abrupt suppression of As diffusion. The interaction of Ge interstitials with fluorine interstitials is confirmed by theoretical calculations. Finally, we prove that a possible F-As chemical interaction does not play any significant role on dopant diffusion. These results can be applied to realize abrupt ultra-shallow n-type doped regions in future generation of Ge-based devices.
Mechanical relaxation studies of α and slow β processes in Nd65Fe15Co10Al10 bulk metallic glass
Authors: Guo Lijun , Wu Xuebang , Zhu Zhengang
Published: June 2011

The relaxation dynamics of the primary α and secondary β processes in Nd65Fe15Co10Al10 bulk metallic glass has been investigated by using low-frequency mechanical spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffraction. From the shift of internal friction peaks by the frequency change, the activation energy of β relaxation (Eβ) is found to be about 1.01 eV, and a correlation between Eβ and glass transition temperature (Tg) is found Eβ ≈ 24 RTg, indicating that the β relaxation is intrinsic in metallic glasses. According to the coupling model, the uncoupled activation energy of α relaxation (Eα*) is found to be about 1.38 eV, still larger than the value of Eβ corresponding to a simple Debye relaxation process. The possible mechanism and the connection between α and β relaxations are discussed.
Stress evolution in surrounding silicon of Cu-filled through-silicon via undergoing thermal annealing by multiwavelength micro-Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Kwon W. S. , Alastair D. T. , Teo K. H. , Gao S. , Ueda T. , Ishigaki T. , Kang K. T. , Yoo W. S.
Published: June 2011

Three-dimensional stress development was observed in silicon surrounding the Cu-filled through-silicon via (TSV) structures undergoing the thermal annealing process. We show here, using a multiwavelength micro-Raman spectroscopy system, that the behavior of stress development in silicon after annealing step is dependent on the initial stress state as well as the geometry and directionality of the TSV array. The warping of stress curve for postannealed state with a reference of preannealed state is distinctively observed. Furthermore, the introduction of stress-free point is also attributed to the destructive stress interaction from different geometry and direction and initial stress state.
XPS study of Sb-/In-doping and surface pinning effects on the Fermi level in SnO2 (101) thin films
Authors: Nagata T. , Bierwagen O. , White M. E. , Tsai M. Y. , Yamashita Y. , Yoshikawa H. , Ohashi N. , Kobayashi K. , Chikyow T. , Speck J. S.
Published: June 2011

To investigate the doping and surface electron accumulation layer properties of tin dioxide (SnO2), the Fermi level and surface band bending of unintentionally-, antimony (Sb)-, and indium (In)-doped SnO2 (101) films were investigated by aluminum and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which probe surface and bulk regions, respectively. The Fermi level was above the conduction band minimum (CBM) for unintentionally-doped films and for highly Sb-doped films, which showed the conduction band feature, and deep in the band gap for In-doped films. The band bending and surface Fermi level indicated a surface Fermi level pinning in the CBM.
Force mode dip-pen nanolithography on soft polydimethylsiloxane surface
Authors: Yang Haijun , Shen Guangxia , Guo Shouwu
Published: June 2011

Control on the loading force supplied on atomic force microscopy tip and the tip dwell time on substrate are important for dip-pen nanolithography (DPN), especially operating on soft substrate. A force mode DPN (FMDPN) method has been developed in this letter. Using FMDPN, the loading force can be properly tuned by presetting a “trigger threshold” parameter, and the dwell time can be adjusted by changing the “surface delay” data. Thus, the DPN can be conducted more controllably, and the nanopatterns could be prepared on soft substrate easily.