bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploiting time-independent Hamiltonian structure as controls for manipulating quantum dynamics
Authors: Beltrani Vincent , Rabitz Herschel
Published: September 2012

The opportunities offered by utilizing time-independent Hamiltonian structure as controls are explored for manipulating quantum dynamics. Two scenarios are investigated using different manifestations of Hamiltonian structure to illustrate the generality of the concept. In scenario I, optimally shaped electrostatic potentials are generated to flexibly control electron scattering in a two-dimensional subsurface plane of a semiconductor. A simulation is performed showing the utility of optimally setting the individual voltages applied to a multi-pixel surface gate array in order to produce a spatially inhomogeneous potential within the subsurface scattering plane. The coherent constructive and destructive electron wave interferences are manipulated by optimally adjusting the potential shapes to alter the scattering patterns. In scenario II, molecular vibrational wave packets are controlled by means of optimally selecting the Hamiltonian structure in cooperation with an applied field. As an illustration of the concept, a collection (i.e., a level set) of dipole functions is identified where each member serves with the same applied electric field to produce the desired final transition probability. The level set algorithm additionally found Hamiltonian structure controls exhibiting desirable physical properties. The prospects of utilizing the applied field and Hamiltonian structure simultaneously as controls is also explored. The control scenarios I and II indicate the gains offered by algorithmically guided molecular or material discovery for manipulating quantum dynamics phenomenon.
Development of a new laser heating system for thin film growth by chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Fujimoto Eiji , Sumiya Masatomo , Ohnishi Tsuyoshi , Lippmaa Mikk , Takeguchi Masaki , Koinuma Hideomi , Matsumoto Yuji
Published: September 2012

We have developed a new laser heating system for thin film growth by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A collimated beam from a high-power continuous-wave 808 nm semiconductor laser was directly introduced into a CVD growth chamber without an optical fiber. The light path of the heating laser inside the chamber was isolated mechanically from the growth area by bellows to protect the optics from film coating. Three types of heat absorbers, (10 × 10 × 2 mm3) consisting of SiC, Ni/NiOx, or pyrolytic graphite covered with pyrolytic BN (PG/PBN), located at the backside of the substrate, were tested for heating performance. It was confirmed that the substrate temperature could reach higher than 1500 °C in vacuum when a PG/PBN absorber was used. A wide-range temperature response between 400 °C and 1000 °C was achieved at high heating and cooling rates. Although the thermal energy loss increased in a H2 gas ambient due to the higher thermal conductivity, temperatures up to 1000°C were achieved even in 200 Torr H2. We have demonstrated the capabilities of this laser heating system by growing ZnO films by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The growth mode of ZnO films was changed from columnar to lateral growth by repeated temperature modulation in this laser heating system, and consequently atomically smooth epitaxial ZnO films were successfully grown on an a-plane sapphire substrate.
Signal contrast in coherent Raman scattering: Optical phonons versus biomolecules
Authors: Voronin A. A. , Zheltikov A. M.
Published: September 2012

We show that the limiting contrast of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) signal with respect to the coherent background due to nonresonant four-wave mixing is controlled by the Q factor of the Raman mode and is independent of the parameters of laser pulses. High-Q phonon modes of semiconductor nanoparticles, such as diamond nanoprobes, can therefore substantially enhance the contrast of CARS images, as well as the sensitivity of CARS spectroscopy and microscopy compared to typical Raman-active vibrations of organic molecules in biotissues.
Stochastic simulation of the high-frequency wave propagation in a random medium
Authors: Lü Bo , Darmon Michel , Potel Catherine
Published: September 2012

A stochastic model is proposed to simulate the propagation of an acoustic wave in a random medium characterized by weak velocity fluctuations. After the acoustic wave propagation through a random velocity field, the propagation field becomes itself a random field. In the developed stochastic approach, the wave field in such random medium is modeled by the combination of the wave field in a mean homogeneous medium and of fluctuation corrections. These corrections are provided by a random field generator whose inputs are the statistical moments of the travel times. Using this stochastic modeling, the propagation of both an incident plane wave and an acoustic realistic beam generated by a real transducer in a random velocity field is calculated and the corresponding simulations are validated by comparison with those obtained with a deterministic model based on geometrical optics.
Ultraviolet and visible Brillouin scattering study of viscous relaxation in 3-methylpentane down to the glass transition
Authors: Benassi P. , Nardone M. , Giugni A.
Published: September 2012

Brillouin light scattering spectra from transverse and longitudinal acoustic waves in liquid and supercooled 3-methylpentane have been collected from room temperature down to 80 K, just above the glass transition. Spectra at different wave vectors have been obtained using 532 nm and 266 nm excitation. We found evidence of a shear relaxation with a characteristic time of 100 s at the glass transition which only partly accounts for the relaxation observed in the propagation and attenuation of the longitudinal modes. The inclusion of a relaxing bulk viscosity contribution with a relaxation time of the order of 102 ns at the glass transition is found to adequately reproduce the experimental data including transient grating data at a much lower frequency. A consistent picture of relaxed shear and bulk moduli as a function of temperature is derived. These two quantities are found to be related by a linear relation suggesting that a Cauchy-like relation holds also above the glass transition.
New method for determining size of critical nucleus of fibril formation of polypeptide chains
Authors: Co Nguyen Truong , Li Mai Suan
Published: September 2012

A new method for determining the size of critical nucleus of fibril formation of polypeptide chains is proposed. Based on the hypothesis that the fibril grows by addition of a nascent peptide to the preformed template, the nucleus size Nc is defined as the number of forming template peptides above which the time to add a new monomer becomes independent of the template size. Using lattice models one can show that our method and the standard method which is based on calculation of the free energy, provide the same result for Nc.
Tensile-strained growth on low-index GaAs
Authors: Simmonds Paul J. , Larry Lee Minjoo
Published: September 2012

We present a comparative study of the growth of tensile-strained GaP on the four low-index surfaces of GaAs: (001), (110), (111)A, and (111)B. For each surface orientation we outline the growth conditions required for smooth GaAs homoepitaxy. We are able to predict the resulting surface morphology when GaP is deposited onto these four GaAs surfaces by considering the influence of surface orientation on tensile strain relief. GaP deposited on GaAs(001) forms extremely smooth, planar layers. In contrast, the elastic relief of tensile strain on both GaAs(110) and GaAs(111)A leads to the three-dimensional self-assembly of GaP into dislocation-free nanostructures. Similarities between tensile and compressive self-assembly suggest that the kinetics governing many aspects of self-assembled growth is independent of the sign of strain. We show that differences in self-assembly on GaAs(110) and (111)A are the result of unequal adatom diffusion lengths. Tensile-strained self-assembly also occurs on GaAs(111)B, although our use of misoriented substrates resulted in the formation of one-dimensional nanoscale wires. Tensile-strained self-assembly is a versatile, reliable technique that can be extended to a wide range of materials in order to create dislocation-free nanostructures on (110) and (111) surfaces.
Study on the effects of ion motion on laser-induced plasma wakes
Authors: Zhou Su-Yun , Yu Wei , Yuan Xiao , Xu Han , Cao L. H. , Cai H. B. , Zhou C. T.
Published: September 2012

A 2D analytical model is presented for the generation of plasma wakes (or bubbles) with an ultra-intense laser pulse by taking into account the response of plasma ions. It is shown that the effect of ion motion becomes significant at the laser intensity exceeding 1021 W/cm2 and plasma background density below 1019 cm−3. In this regime, ion motion tends to suppress the electrostatic field induced by charge separation and makes the electron acceleration less effective. As a result, the assumption of immobile ions overestimates the efficiency of laser wake-field acceleration of electrons. Based on the analytical model, the dynamics of plasma ions in laser-induced wake field is investigated. It is found that only one bubble appears as the plasmas background density exceeds the resonant density and the deposited laser energy is concentrated into the bubble, resulting in the generation of an ion bunch with extremely high energy density.
Influence of volume fraction on the yield behavior of giant electrorheological fluid
Authors: Song Zhenyang , Cheng Yuchuan , Wu Jinghua , Guo Jianjun , Xu Gaojie
Published: September 2012

In this letter, we provide a phenomenological model to explain the recently discovered volume fraction effect in giant electrorheological (ER) fluids. We attribute the exponential dependence of yield stress on volume fraction to the repulsive interaction between particle chains. The increase of particle concentration increases the inter-chain repulsive interaction, which raises potential energy in electrorheological fluid and consequently the yield stress. The acquired normal force data validated our model.
Enhanced thermoelectric properties of CePd3−xPtx
Authors: Boona S. R. , Morelli D. T.
Published: September 2012

We have explored the structural, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of the CePd3−xPtx (0 < x < 1) solid solution. The similar chemical properties of palladium and platinum appear to result in a minimal perturbation to the intermediate valent state that is responsible for high Seebeck coefficient, while the large mass difference between the two elements significantly reduces the lattice thermal conductivity. The result is a 40% increase of the thermoelectric figure of merit at 100 K and a 30% increase at 300 K; the latter value is the highest value ever reported for any CePd3-based material.
Mechanical properties of metal-organic frameworks: An indentation study on epitaxial thin films
Authors: Bundschuh S. , Kraft O. , Arslan H. K. , Gliemann H. , Weidler P. G. , Wöll C.
Published: September 2012

We have determined the hardness and Young's modulus of a highly porous metal-organic framework (MOF) using a standard nanoindentation technique. Despite the very low density of these films, 1.22 g cm−3, Young's modulus reaches values of almost 10 GPa for HKUST-1, demonstrating that this porous coordination polymer is substantially stiffer than normal polymers. This progress in characterizing mechanical properties of MOFs has been made possible by the use of high quality, oriented thin films grown using liquid phase epitaxy on modified Au substrates.
Frequency and Q factor control of nanomechanical resonators
Authors: Rieger Johannes , Faust Thomas , Seitner Maximilian J. , Kotthaus Jörg P. , Weig Eva M.
Published: September 2012

We present an integrated scheme for dielectric drive and read-out of high-Q nanomechanical resonators that enable tuning of both the resonance frequency and quality factor with an applied dc voltage. A simple model for altering these quantities is derived, incorporating the resonator's complex electric polarizability and position in an inhomogeneous electric field, which agrees very well with experimental findings and finite element simulations. Comparing two sample geometries demonstrates that careful electrode design determines the direction of frequency tuning of flexural modes of a string resonator. Furthermore, we show that the mechanical quality factor can be voltage reduced sixfold.
Chalcogenide microwire based Raman laser
Authors: Ahmad Raja , Rochette Martin
Published: September 2012

We present a Raman fiber laser based on a chalcogenide glass microwire. The microwire is pumped in the C-band, and the resulting laser oscillates in the L-band. The power conversion efficiency of the device is ∼17%, and the laser threshold is 23.2 dBm (pulse energy = 4.65 pJ) in peak pump power. By extension, the device can be used for all-optical wavelength conversion of existing laser sources in the useful transmission window of chalcogenide, from the C-band up to a wavelength of ∼10 μm in the mid-infrared.
Recovery and germinability of seeds ingested by yaks and Tibetan sheep could have important effects on the population dynamics of alpine meadow plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yu Xiaojun , Xu Changlin , Wang Fang , Shang Zhanhuan , Long Ruijun
Published: September 2012

Seed dispersal by livestock in lowland rangelands has received attention from researchers in recent decades while there has been little research into the dispersal of alpine meadow plants’ seed after ingestion by yaks and Tibetan sheep. This study assessed the recovery and germination of seeds by feeding known quantities of seeds from 20 alpine meadow species to yaks and Tibetan sheep. Seeds from 18 out of 20 of the plant species fed to Tibetan sheep survived ingestion and defecation. All of the species fed to the yaks survived. The recovery rate of undamaged seed ranged from 0.4 to 58.4% for yaks and 0.0 to 28.1% for Tibetan sheep. In general, total recovery of ingested seeds from yaks (28.1%) was significantly higher than that from the sheep (9.4%). Passage time of seeds through the digestive tract ranged from 12 to 96 h for yaks and from 12 to 84 h for Tibetan sheep. Seed recovery was negatively related to seed length (yak, r = –0.59; Tibetan sheep, r = –0.52) but was not related to seed width, seed thickness and seed mass. Seeds defecated by yaks and Tibetan sheep were found to have a range of germination rates which were both higher and lower compared with undigested seed depending on the plant species. It is argued that ingestion of seed by grazing yak or Tibetan sheep may have important effects on the population dynamics of alpine plant species of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
A zebrafish model of PMM2-CDG reveals altered neurogenesis and a substrate-accumulation mechanism for N-linked glycosylation deficiency
Authors: Cline Abigail , Gao Ningguo , Flanagan-Steet Heather , Sharma Vandana , Rosa Sabrina , Sonon Roberto , Azadi Parastoo , Sadler Kirsten C. , Freeze Hudson H. , Lehrman Mark A. , Steet Richard
Published: September 2012

Congenital disorder of glycosylation (PMM2-CDG) results from mutations in pmm2, which encodes the phosphomannomutase (Pmm) that converts mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) to mannose-1-phosphate (M1P). Patients have wide-spectrum clinical abnormalities associated with impaired protein N-glycosylation. Although it has been widely proposed that Pmm2 deficiency depletes M1P, a precursor of GDP-mannose, and consequently suppresses lipid-linked oligosaccharide (LLO) levels needed for N-glycosylation, these deficiencies have not been demonstrated in patients or any animal model. Here we report a morpholino-based PMM2-CDG model in zebrafish. Morphant embryos had developmental abnormalities consistent with PMM2-CDG patients, including craniofacial defects and impaired motility associated with altered motor neurogenesis within the spinal cord. Significantly, global N-linked glycosylation and LLO levels were reduced in pmm2 morphants. Although M1P and GDP-mannose were below reliable detection/quantification limits, Pmm2 depletion unexpectedly caused accumulation of M6P, shown earlier to promote LLO cleavage in vitro. In pmm2 morphants, the free glycan by-products of LLO cleavage increased nearly twofold. Suppression of the M6P-synthesizing enzyme mannose phosphate isomerase within the pmm2 background normalized M6P levels and certain aspects of the craniofacial phenotype and abrogated pmm2-dependent LLO cleavage. In summary, we report the first zebrafish model of PMM2-CDG and uncover novel cellular insights not possible with other systems, including an M6P accumulation mechanism for underglycosylation.
Pineapple bacilliform CO virus: Diversity, Detection, Distribution, and Transmission
Authors: Sether D. M. , Melzer M. J. , Borth W. B. , Hu J. S.
Published: September 2012

Members of the genus Badnavirus (family Caulimovirdae) have been identified in dicots and monocots worldwide. The genome of a pineapple badnavirus, designated Pineapple bacilliform CO virus-HI1 (PBCOV-HI1), and nine genomic variants (A through H) were isolated and sequenced from pineapple, Ananas comosus, in Hawaii. The 7,451-nucleotide genome of PBCOV-HI1 possesses three open reading frames (ORFs) encoding putative proteins of 20 (ORF1), 15 (ORF2), and 211 (ORF3) kDa. ORF3 encodes a polyprotein that includes a putative movement protein and viral aspartyl proteinase, reverse transcriptase, and RNase H regions. Three distinct groups of putative endogenous pineapple pararetroviral sequences and Metaviridae-like retrotransposons encoding long terminal repeat, reverse-transcriptase, RNase H, and integrase regions were also identified from the pineapple genome. Detection assays were developed to distinguish PBCOV-HI1 and genomic variants, putative endogenous pararetrovirus sequences, and Ananas Metaviridae sequences also identified in pineapple. PBCOV-HI1 incidences in two commercially grown pineapple hybrids, PRI 73-114 and PRI 73-50, was 34 to 68%. PBCOV-HI1 was transmitted by gray pineapple mealybugs, Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, to pineapple.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe arcuata on Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) in Korea
Authors: Lee H. B.
Published: September 2012

Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata L.) is a plant species of the genus Coreopsis in Asteraceae native to the USA. This plant is a bushy perennial species with finely cut foliage and showy round flowers and is increasing as plants used in landscaping in the world. The invasive plant is also planted very commonly along roadsides in Korea. In late October 2011 and August 2012, signs and symptoms of a powdery mildew disease were observed on lanceleaf coreopsis in several land areas near Gwangju-river, Gwangju, Korea. Symptoms included typical white superficial mycelia. The conidia of the powdery mildew fungus occurred on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Chasmothecia were not observed. Single conidia formed terminally on conidiophores. Conidial morphology was subcylindrical to oblong. Dimension of conidia was 23.6 to 41.4 (avg. 35.1) μm long × 11.3 to 18.2 (avg. 14.8) μm wide. Conidiophores were composed of five to six (up to seven) cells, ranged from 45.7 to 131.2 (avg. 98.1) μm long × 8.2 to 11.1 (avg. 8.3) μm wide with foot-cells straight to slightly flexuous. Oidium anamorph of this fungus matched that of E. arcuata U. Braun, Heluta and S. Takam. described by Pastircakova et al. (3). From extracted genomic DNA, the rDNA ITS was amplified with ITS1F (5′-CTTGGTCATTTAGAGGAAGT-3′) and LR5F (5′-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3′) primer set. The rDNA ITS homology of the fungus (EML-CDPW1, GenBank Accession No. JX485650) showed 100% (590/590) identity value with E. arcuata (GenBank Accession No. AB252459). The identification of the fungus as E. arcuata was based on morphological data combined with the results of sequence analysis. Until recently, E. arcuata has been known to widespread on Carpinus species of the family Betulaceae including European hornbeam (C. betulus L.) and Chonowski's hornbeam (C. tschonoskii Maxim.) in Asia and Europe since Braun et al. first reported it as a new species in 2006 (1). In Korea, Podosphaera fusca (= Sphaerotheca fusca) and P. fuliginea (= S. fuliginea) were reported to cause powdery mildews on Coreopsis lanceolata. E. cichoracearum (= Golovinomyces cichoracearum), Leveillula taurica, P. fusca (= S. fusca), and Oidium spp. have been reported on Coreopsis spp. in the world (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by Oidium anamorph of E. arcuata on lanceleaf coreopsis (C. lanceolata) in Korea or elsewhere in the world.

References: (1) U. Braun et al. Mycol. Prog. 5:139, 2006. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , 2012. (3) K. Pastircakova et al. J. Phytopathol. 156:597, 2008.
Does knowledge management “fit” matter to business performance?
Authors: Chen Yue‐Yang , Yeh Shang‐Pao , Huang Hui‐Ling
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Drawing on the concept of fit, this paper aims to propose a knowledge management (KM) fit model within which KM strategy, IT strategy, and HRM strategy are coaligned and to empirically test this model with empirical data.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for hypotheses testing are collected from top‐ranked companies in Taiwan; yielding 161 valid samples. Performance implications of fit are examined using multiple perspectives with covariation and matching approaches.

Findings

The findings show that the holistic perspective of fit as covariation supports the fit relationships on business performance. In addition, with the reductionistic perspective of fit as matching, the findings also show their bivariate relationships have significant impacts on business performance.

Research limitations/implications

A successful KM project must take various attributes into account, to ensure a positive outcome. In such a context, organization, process, human resources, and IT are thought to be the key elements and enablers for best KM practices. Thus, cogitating and integrating various factors related to the KM area are considered by researchers to be the most important tasks. However, fit mechanism is a dynamic process. The authors suggest that future research should adopt a longitudinal view to deal with the dynamic changes that may occur in fit operations.

Originality/value

There has been little attempt to explore KM issues by using multiple perspectives to examine the performance implications of fit on business performance. Thus, the authors posit that performance measuring in growth and profitability are affected by fit among these three KM‐related strategies.
Knowledge management initiatives in the United Arab Emirates: a baseline study
Authors: Muhammad Siddique C.
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to develop baseline data on knowledge management (KM) initiatives of business organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE is a rapidly growing economy in the Arabian Gulf region and it is timely to assess KM initiatives of UAE companies and the barriers and challenges they face in KM adoption and implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey research design was used to collect data on KM practices of a sample of companies based in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Findings

Importance of KM practices is gradually being recognized in UAE and several organizations have initiated a number of KM‐related programs. Most KM initiatives are focused on explicit knowledge, and companies are investing significant resources in building their ICT infrastructure. The study documents the importance of a companywide KM strategy, top management commitment, proactive HRM policies, and a supportive cultural environment as the critical success factors to advance KM practice and theory in UAE.

Research limitations/implications

The study employed a non‐probability sample which limits its ability to generalize findings to the larger population of UAE business organizations.

Practical implications

The study offers much‐needed baseline data on KM initiatives of UAE companies, the benefits they associate with KM and barriers they must overcome to implement KM practices. These baseline data are expected to encourage further research on KM in UAE and other Gulf countries.

Originality/value

The study represents a first systematic and comprehensive attempt at reporting baseline data on KM adoption in UAE.
Resilience to health related adversity in older people
Authors: Gallacher John , Mitchell Clive , Heslop Luke , Christopher Gary
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This paper's aim is to explore factors underlying resilience to health adversity, where resilience is defined as better perceived health after adjusting for the presence of doctor diagnosed heart disease, stroke or diabetes (vascular disease).

Design/methodology/approach

A population sample of 667 men and women aged 50+ years from South Wales was recruited to participate in an epidemiologic study and were consented and assessed online. Participation included health status, psychological and cognitive assessment. Structural equation modelling was used to model causal pathways. The analysis presents baseline data for this sample.

Findings

After adjustment for vascular disease, self‐esteem was associated with higher perceived health (β=0.279, p<0.001) whilst depression was associated with lower perceived health (β=−0.368, p<0.001). Self‐efficacy and anxiety were not associated with perceived health. Further analysis found self‐esteem to buffer an effect of vascular disease on depression, reducing the impact of depression on perceived health.

Practical implications

Cognitive and affective factors are involved in resilience, in relation to health these are specific to self‐esteem and depression. Although more complex associations may be found with other adversities, in relation to health, interventions to improve self‐esteem and ameliorate depression are likely to increase resilience.

Originality/value

Resilience has been modelled as a process involving cognitive and affective response to adversity. In the context of health, the adverse effect of depression on health perception was mediated by self‐esteem. These associations add to the understanding of the processes underlying resilience and suggest opportunities for interventions designed to increase resilience to health adversities.
Developing the research identities and aspirations of first‐generation college students
Authors: Renee Posselt Julie , Black Kim R.
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Undergraduate research experiences are associated with higher post‐baccalaureate enrolment rates for first‐generation students, but scholars have yet to develop explanations for why this is the case. This paper aims to examine the experience of first‐generation undergraduate students.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case study methodology informed by grounded theory analytic methods, the authors qualitatively examine the experience of undergraduate research for ten first‐generation undergraduate students in the Ronald E. McNair Post‐baccalaureate Achievement Program, a faculty diversity programme funded by the US federal government located on almost 200 colleges and universities.

Findings

Students describe a recursive growth process that involved the acquisition of concrete skills, support from a cohort of their peers, mentoring relationships, and positive external recognition. By socialising them to forms of social and cultural capital that are valued in the academy, the programme cultivates the research identities and aspirations of participants. Students themselves develop a secondary habitus as well as a desire to challenge prevailing scholarly norms through their research aims and topics. Findings help refine Bourdieu's theory of reproduction in education and society for the context of American graduate education, for as students come to see themselves differently, they also see their futures differently and enrol in graduate education at higher rates than the national average.

Originality/value

This research is the first to examine how first generation students uniquely benefit from undergraduate research experiences.
Short‐term behavioral changes in pregnant women after a quit‐smoking program via e‐learning: A descriptive study from Japan
Authors: Fujioka Nami , Kobayashi Toshio , Turale Sue
Published: September 2012

Approximately 20% of Japanese women in their reproductive years are smokers. Therefore, in the present study, we report the behavioral changes of woman who undertook a 3 month stop‐smoking program. Sixty‐six pregnant smokers in the first trimester of pregnancy participated in this study from two hospitals and an obstetric clinic in Japan. Our newly‐developed e‐learning program uses a cell phone Internet connection service to support pregnant women who want to quit smoking. Using this, service participants were given guidance concerning smoking, and were breath tested for their carbon monoxide levels every 4 weeks for 3 months. An e‐learning cessation smoking‐support program was maintained throughout the same period. Consequently, 52 of 66 pregnant smokers from three settings began the program, and 48 of 52 eventually completed it. The achievement rate of non‐smoking was 71.1% (37/48), and their carbon monoxide exhalation levels significantly decreased from 6.43 ± 4.5 ppm at the beginning to 0.7 ± 1.0 ppm in 1 month, to 0.29 ± 1.08 in 3 months (P < 0.001). These results suggest the effectiveness of our e‐leaning program. This paper reports the results of the study.
Lived experience of Thai women and their changing bodies in midlife
Authors: Noonil Naiyana , Hendricks Joyce , Aekwarangkoon Saifon
Published: September 2012

This study focused on the lived experience of Thai women and their changing bodies in midlife. The methodology chosen was a phenomenological approach. Eighteen women aged 46–55 years, who lived in the southern Thailand and identified themselves as experiencing physiological changes, participated in the study. Five themes became apparent during the analysis of the women's stories: changing in midlife, sensing normal phenomena, searching for explanation, sense of loss, and self‐managing. This study reveals that Thai women's traditional ties to Buddhism play a major role in their acceptance of midlife as part of the life cycle; an event that is best managed with support from other women. Health professionals should reconsider their understanding of women's midlife experiences in order to provide effective healthcare support to Thai women.
Childbirth experience of migrants in China: A systematic review
Authors: Cheung Ngai Fen , Pan Anshi
Published: September 2012

As preliminary research into the childbirth experience of migrants in China, this paper presents a systematic review of Chinese and English literature published between 1999 and 2011 on childbirth in migrants in China. Electronic databases were accessed and papers were found by keyword search. A total of 132 Chinese and 9 English papers were catalogued for review. These papers address migrant maternity issues concerning antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal care, institutional issues, family planning or birth control. Since China's economic reforms, the healthcare infrastructure has been inadequate for childbirth in migrants. They experience more adverse birth outcomes than local residents. This suggests that the effects of change upon childbirth and the existing urban and rural care systems cannot meet the needs of the migrants. There is a lack of research in the childbirth experience of women. Knowledge of their childbirth experience will contribute to the understanding of these needs, informing systems' reform. The medical approach results in many unnecessary interventions and higher costs. It is argued here that a midwifery model of care is most appropriate for the childbirth experience of migrant women.
Performance care practices in complementary and alternative medicine by Thai breast cancer survivors: An ethnonursing study
Authors: Wanchai Ausanee , Armer Jane M. , Stewart Bob R.
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore how Thai breast cancer survivors perform care practices in complementary and alternative medicine to promote their health and well‐being. Research was conducted using an ethnonursing method. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with 17 Thai breast cancer survivors in Thailand. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using the ethnonursing analysis method. The findings showed Thai breast cancer survivors started their care practices in complementary and alternative medicine immediately following a diagnosis of breast cancer. They sought out and gathered alternative medicine information from several sources, such as the people around them, media resources, books, magazines, or newspapers. After gathering information, Thai breast cancer survivors would try out various types of complementary medicines rather than use only one type because of information from other people and their own evaluation. The findings of this study indicate the need for a conversation about complementary medicine use between healthcare providers and Thai breast cancer survivors as an on‐going process throughout the cancer trajectory to ensure that safe and holistic care is provided.
Holocaust victims and perpetrators
Authors: Wieland‐Burston Joanne
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  The author presents here the results of 12 years of work with a group of psychotherapists in Germany on the subject of the after‐effects of the Nazi period on people in psychotherapeutic treatment today. She identifies several typical complexes concerned with issues of identity, loyalty, relationship, authority and aggression. Case examples and references to texts from the Nazi period illustrate the phenomena. The author's concern is that psychotherapists be aware of their own collective (family, ethnic, national) past so that they can fully engage in their work without having to repress painful collective complexes. In training analysis this aspect of the work is especially important so that the following generations of analysts can experience the importance of this level of the collective unconscious.
Clinical implications of The Red Book
Authors: Culliford Penny
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  This presentation stresses the uniqueness of both the therapist's and patient's personal experience in clinical work and relates this to the significance of The Red Book as Jung's personal odyssey and for me personally as an analyst. I consider The Red Book's enduring relevance alongside recent psychological theories, neuroscience and early mystical writings, and conclude with a clinical vignette of a patient's response to a piece of choral music and subsequent use of active imagination.
Differences in Quality of Antenatal Care Provided by Midwives to Low‐Risk Pregnant Dutch Women in Different Ethnic Groups
Authors: Choté Anushka , de Groot Christianne , Redekop Ken , Hoefman Renske , Koopmans Gerrit , Jaddoe Vincent , Hofman Albert , Steegers Eric , Trappenburg Margo , Mackenbach Johan , Foets Marleen
Published: September 2012

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether differences existed in the adherence to the Dutch national guidelines regarding basic antenatal care by Dutch midwives for low‐risk women of different ethnic groups.

Methods: This was an observational study using data from electronic antenatal charts of 7 midwife practices (23 midwives), participating in the Generation R Study. The Generation R Study is a multiethnic, population‐based, prospective, cohort study that is investigating the growth, development, and health of urban children from fetal life until young adulthood. The study is conducted in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The antenatal charts of 2093 low‐risk pregnant women with an expected birthing date in 2002 through 2004 were used to determine the mean quality of antenatal care scores for 7 ethnic groups. These scores reflected the degree of adherence to the guidelines regarding 10 tests and examinations.

Results: Few differences between ethnic groups were found in adherence to the guidelines that addressed the obstetric‐technical quality of antenatal care. This finding applied more to nulliparous than to multiparous women. Adherence to guidelines was not always better in the antenatal care provided to native Dutch multiparous women when compared to other ethnic groups. Midwives adhered well to the guidelines regarding most tests. For all women, irrespective of ethnic background, hemoglobin was not measured as often as recommended, and this was especially the case for Moroccan, Surinamese‐Creole, and Dutch‐Antillean multiparous women.

Discussion: The poorer adherence regarding screening for hemoglobin needs further investigation, as women with African or Mediterranean heritage are more at risk for hemoglobinopathies. However, in general, midwives adhered well to the clinical guidelines regarding most tests irrespective of the ethnic background of the pregnant women. When differences were present, these were not systematically less favorable for non‐Dutch pregnant women.
Behavior Change Following Implementation of Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills in Liberia, West Africa
Authors: Lori Jody R. , Amable Elikem E. , Mertz Sara G. , Moriarty Kathleen
Published: September 2012

Introduction: Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills (HBLSS) has been fully integrated into Liberia's long‐term plan to decrease maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, coordinated through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The objective of this article is to disseminate evaluation data from project monitoring and documentation on translation of knowledge and skills obtained through HBLSS into behavior change at the community level.

Methods: One year after completion of HBLSS training, complication audits were conducted with 434 postpartum women in 1 rural county in Liberia.

Results: Sixty‐two percent (n = 269) of the women were attended during birth by an HBLSS‐trained traditional midwife or family member, while 38% (n = 165) were attended by a traditional midwife or family member who did not receive HBLSS training. Home‐Based Life‐Saving Skills–trained birth attendants performed significantly more first actions (life‐saving actions taught to be performed after every birth) than the attendants not HBLSS trained. Fourteen percent of our sample (n = 62) reported too much bleeding following the birth. Of these women, approximately half (n = 29) were attended by an HBLSS‐trained traditional midwife or family member. There was a significant difference in secondary actions (those actions taught to be performed when a woman experiences too much bleeding following childbirth) that were reported to have been performed by HBLSS‐trained attendants (mean 5.26, standard deviation [SD] 1.88) and untrained attendants (mean 2.73, SD 1.97; P < .0001).

Discussion: Our findings suggest that HBLSS knowledge is being transferred into behavior change and used at the community level by traditional midwives and family members.
The Influence of Cavity‐defect Shapes on Resonant Peak of Three‐dimensional Electromagnetic Band Gap Structure
Authors: Chen Shibin , Li Dichen , Han Haoxue , Yang Gai
Published: September 2012

Localized mode is an important property of defect electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure, which plays a key role in the application of EBG structure. The purpose of this article was to study the impact on localized properties by introducing cavities of different shapes into diamond EBG structure. Alumina‐based ceramic diamond EBG structures were fabricated using stereolithography (SL), gel‐casting and vacuum freeze‐drying. When the microwave transmission properties of samples with cavities of different shapes were tested, the resonant peaks appeared within the band gap. By varying the cavity shape, the quality of the localized mode could be adjusted. The results have shown that localized mode with a high quality factor (Q factor) corresponded to the optimal cavity shape in EBG structure. The experimental results agreed well with simulation results. These excellent microwave properties of 3D EBG structure could be directly applied in microwave devices, such as microwave antenna and filter devices.
Two‐Step Sintering of Pristine and Aluminum‐Doped Zinc Oxide Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Yulong , Tan Ruiqin , Yang Ye , Zhang Xianpeng , Wang Weiyan , Cui Ping , Song Weijie
Published: September 2012

ZnO and Al‐doped ZnO ceramics with high density and fine grain size were prepared using a two‐step sintering method. ZnO ceramics with a grain size of 1.2 μm and a density greater than 99% were obtained. The kinetic window for a ZnO nanoparticle TSS process was determined in this study. Dense AZO ceramics with homogeneous Al distribution were obtained using a high sintering temperature (Tst) of 1323 K and a low sintering temperature (Tnd) of 1273 K. The activation energies for ZnO and AZO nanoparticle grain growth were determined to be 169 ± 18 kJ/mol and 374 ± 36 kJ/mol, respectively.
Physicochemical Properties and Biocompatibility of White Dextrin Modified Injectable Calcium–Magnesium Phosphate Cement
Authors: Chen Fangping , Liu Changsheng , Wei Jie , Chen Xiaolong
Published: September 2012

The objective of this study was to develop anti‐washout and fast‐setting calcium–magnesium phosphate cement (as‐CMP) by introducing white dextrin (WD) and magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) to CPC. The results showed that WD imparted anti‐washout to the as‐CMP paste, whereas MPC simultaneously improved the paste anti‐washout and fast‐setting. The synergistic effect of MPC and WD obviously shortened the setting time of as‐CMP. The WD did not affect the phase evolution and microstructure of the paste. Furthermore, all samples were biocompatible and as‐CMP exhibited the best cell metabolic activity, cell attachment, and proliferation, which would provide basic data for the clinical application.
Validation of Advia plateletcrit for assessing platelet mass in dogs, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Authors: Tvedten Harold W. , Lilliehöök Inger E. , Öberg Josefine , Häggström Jens , Höglund Katja , Ljungvall Ingrid
Published: September 2012

Background

Determination of the plateletcrit (PCT) is the most effective way to evaluate platelet mass in dogs, such as Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) dogs, with macrothrombocytopenia. The IDEXX VetAutoread hematology analyzer, which performs quantitative buffy coat (QBC) analysis, has been validated to determine platelet mass in CKCS dogs. The Advia 2120 reports a PCT, but the validity of this value has not been evaluated for dogs with macrothrombocytopenia.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to validate MPV and PCT determined by the Advia 2120 in dogs, including CKCS dogs, comparing values with those obtained from QBC analysis.

Methods

Advia PCT was compared with QBC results from 43 CKCS dogs and 15 dogs of other breeds in one study. Advia PCT, platelet count, and MPV were evaluated to identify biologic patterns in 31 clinically healthy CKCS dogs and 66 dogs of 3 other breeds and to generate values used for comparisons.

Results

Advia PCT agreed well with QBC results in general, but had a negative bias and appeared to underestimate PCT in CKCS dogs with the lowest PCTs. Advia PCT and MPV results followed expected biologic patterns in CKCS dogs and dogs of other breeds with MPVs being highest in dogs with the lowest platelet counts.

Conclusions

Advia 2120 PCT and MPV satisfactorily identified changes in platelet mass and size in CKCS dogs, but PCTs were lower than expected, especially in CKCS dogs with the lowest PCTs, when compared with QBC results.
Review of Corrosion Role in Gas Pipeline and Some Methods for Preventing It
Authors: Karami M.
Published: September 2012

Nowadays, pipelines are the most important transportation artery and researches indicate that the pipelines will be a secure tool for energy transmission for over 50 years, which is more significant for petrochemical, oil, and gas industries. The large part of chemical fluids, especially natural gas, transmits with pipelines. These pipelines manufactured with large pipes that they can bear high pressures about several thousand kilogram per cubic centimeter. The gas pressure is obtained by high pressure station in long distances. The function of gas pipelines is very important and vital; therefore, they have to be safe. But unfortunately, utilization of old pipelines in operation increases probability of occurrence. The most important reasons of making these occurrences are the internal and external corrosions that are very effective in damaging gas pipelines, hence safety decreases. So, controlling of corrosion in gas pipelines needs to use cathodic protection with cathodic potential, substance becomes a cathode, and this system decreases the rate of corrosion. Periodic inspections of pipelines are essential, through a method called pigging. A pig is a device inserted into a pipeline which travels freely through it and is driven by the product flow to do specific tasks within the pipeline. In this paper, first, corrosion and its types, as one of the most important threats in gas pipelines, will be investigated. Then methods of controlling corrosion will be explained by stating that cathodic protection is the most important method. Finally, pigs will be investigated because it needs continuous inspections in the performance of pipelines for security reasons.
Electron Small Polarons and Their Mobility in Iron (Oxyhydr)oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Katz Jordan E. , Zhang Xiaoyi , Attenkofer Klaus , Chapman Karena W. , Frandsen Cathrine , Zarzycki Piotr , Rosso Kevin M. , Falcone Roger W. , Waychunas Glenn A. , Gilbert Benjamin
Published: September 2012

Iron Hopping

Iron oxide minerals shuttle electrons around in a wide range of biogeochemical processes.

Katz
et al.

(p.
1200
) used time-resolved x-ray absorption spectroscopy to take a closer look at how this happens. By using photoionized surface dyes to inject electrons into three different solid oxide phases, they found that electrons hop among iron centers at rates that depend more on structure in their immediate vicinity than on the extended ordering of the crystal lattice. These observations bolster the prevailing small polaron model in which charge carriers associate closely with individual metal sites.
Rebuilding Public Trust in Science for Policy-Making
Authors: Arimoto Tateo , Sato Yasushi
Published: September 2012

Ensuring the effectiveness and integrity of science-based policy-making is a high-priority task in Japan.
Unconventional Sequence of Fractional Quantum Hall States in Suspended Graphene
Authors: Feldman Benjamin E. , Krauss Benjamin , Smet Jurgen H. , Yacoby Amir
Published: September 2012

Skipping the Odds

When confined to a plane and placed in a magnetic field at low temperatures, electrons are separated by energy into the so-called Landau levels; adding an extra electron after a Landau level that has been filled is costly. In some systems, electron-electron interactions cause the appearance of sublevels, in a phenomenon known as the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE). This effect has been observed in graphene, but the number of levels that had been resolved was limited.

Feldman
et al.

(p.
1196
) directly measured the change in the chemical potential caused by varying electron density, which is controlled by gate voltage. Once the FQH states were identified, the Landau levels with odd-numerator fractional fillings were found to be missing between filling factors 1 and 2, because of the broken and preserved symmetries of graphene. These observations help to explain how the FQHE in graphene is different from that observed in conventional semiconductors, and the technique will also allow local measurements to be made; hence, monitoring of spatial variations in sample behavior is possible.
Heart Brakes
Authors: Burghardt Thomas P. , Ajtai Katalin
Published: September 2012

Detailing the molecular mechanism of heart muscle contraction provides insight into the cause of a genetic form of heart failure.