bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and characterization of orientated grown AlN films sputtered at room temperature
Authors: Gao X. D. , Jiang E. Y. , Liu H. H. , Li G. K. , Mi W. B. , Li Z. Q. , Wu P. , Bai H. L.
Published: March 2007

AlN films have been fabricated using a dc magnetron sputtering system under different N2 partial pressures, PN, without substrate heating. X‐ray diffraction revealed that the AlN(002) peak intensity increases first with increasing PN (10–40%) and then drops when PN is increased to 50%. Optical transmission studies derived the refractive index of 1.84–1.91 and the optical band gap of 5.83–5.91 eV. Strong absorption caused by the oxygen impurities and nitrogen vacancies was observed in the transmission spectrum of the sample fabricated under PN of 10%. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preparation, characterization and luminescence property of YPO4:Eu nanocrystals
Authors: Lai Hua , Yang Hua , Tao Chunyan , Yang Xuwei
Published: March 2007

Co‐precipitation reaction soft chemistry method was employed to prepare fine YPO4:Eu3+ phosphor particles calcined at different temperature. Adjusting appropriate pH and introducing lithium may greatly affect the particle size of the sample and further affect the luminescence intensity. The as‐prepared samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The XRD patterns of YPO4:Eu3+ have only peaks of tetragonal xenotime and the sizes of particles range from 8 to 12 nm without Li2CO3 flux. The addition of Li2CO3 flux to precursor leads to a morphological modification for both the shape and size of the final phosphor, further affect the luminescence intensity. From the fluorescence spectra the emission transition 5D0 → 7F1 is more prominent than the normal red emission transition (5D0 → 7F2). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Coupling mechanisms for split ring resonators: Theory and experiment
Authors: Hesmer Frank , Tatartschuk Eugen , Zhuromskyy Oleksandr , Radkovskaya Anna A. , Shamonin Mikahil , Hao Tong , Stevens Chris J. , Faulkner Grahame , Edwards David J. , Shamonina Ekaterina
Published: March 2007

We study experimentally and theoretically coupling mechanisms between metamaterial elements of the split ring resonator (SRR) type. We show that, depending on the orientation of the elements relative to each other, the coupling may be either of magnetic or electric type or a combination of both. Experimental results on SRRs with resonances around 1.7–1.9 GHz agree quantitatively with results of simulations (CST Microwave Studio). Further simulations provide analysis for a variety of SRRs both in the GHz and in the 20 THz frequency regions. The variety of coupling mechanisms can be employed in designing near field manipulating devices based on propagation of slow waves. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Magnetic response of split ring resonators at terahertz frequencies
Authors: Soukoulis Costas M. , Koschny Thomas , Zhou Jiangfeng , Kafesaki Maria , Economou Eleftherios N.
Published: March 2007

We investigate numerically the electric and the magnetic response of the split‐ring resonators (SRRs) for different electromagnetic (EM) field polarization and propagation directions. We have studied the current density J of circular and rectangular SRRs at THz frequencies. At low frequencies, J is confined to the edges of the SRRs, while at high frequencies J is all over the width of the wire. The diamagnetic response of the SRRs is also examined. Finally, the role of losses and the magnetic resonance frequency are studied as the size of the SRRs becomes less than 100 nm. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Planar bilayer metamaterial with left‐handed transmission and negative refraction at microwave frequencies
Authors: Özgür Çakmak Atilla , Guven Kaan , Özbay Ekmel
Published: March 2007

A planar composite metamaterial consisting of bilayers of metal cutwire pairs and long wire pairs which are separated by a thin dielectric layer is designed and fabricated for microwave frequencies. The simulated and experimentally measured transmission spectra of the metamaterial and its individual components (cutwire‐only and wire‐only) indicates that the metamaterial exhibits a transmission band within the common stop bands of its components, and thus acts as a medium with negative index of refraction. The existence of n < 0 is further supported by a refraction experiment. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Radiation properties of a split ring resonator and monopole composite
Authors: Alici Kamil Boratay , Özbay Ekmel
Published: March 2007

We studied the far field radiation properties of a new resonator antenna composed of split ring resonators (SRRs) and a monopole. It is shown that the antenna size at the operation frequency (3.52 GHz) is approximately one tenth of the free space wavelength (λ/10). Moreover, increasing the number of SRRs yields steerability properties. These achievements provide a way to create rather small steerable resonant antennas. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Transmission, refraction, and focusing properties of labyrinth based left‐handed metamaterials
Authors: Özbay Ekmel , Bulu Irfan , Caglayan Humeyra
Published: March 2007

In this present article, we studied the transmission, refraction and focusing properties of one, two and three dimensional labyrinth based left‐handed metamaterials. We demonstrated that the proper periodic arrangement of labyrinth structures and wires results in left‐handed transmission. By using a two dimensional labyrinth based left‐handed slab, it is shown that it is possible to image the field emitted from source in sub‐wavelength detail. Moreover, we demonstrated the focusing and negative refraction of electromagnetic waves by a three dimensional labyrinth based left‐handed slab. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Selective lasing in multimode periodic and non‐periodic nanopillar waveguides
Authors: Zhukovsky Sergei V. , Chigrin Dmitry N. , Lavrinenko Andrei V. , Kroha Johann
Published: March 2007

The lasing action in coupled multiple‐row periodic and fractal Cantor‐like nanopillar waveguides has been numerically investigated. It had been shown earlier [D. N. Chigrin et al., Opt. Express 12, 617 (2004)] that such a system exhibits band splitting with distinct, straightforward and controllable supermode formation. In this paper we demonstrate that selective lasing into each of the supermodes is possible. The structure acts as a microlaser with selectable wavelength. Mode selection is achieved by means of coaxial injection seeding with a Gaussian signal with different transverse envelope. The proposed concept of switchable lasing is viewed as an alternative to conventional laser tuning by means of external cavity control. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dual composite right/left‐handed (D‐CRLH) leaky‐wave antenna with low beam squinting and tunable group velocity
Authors: Caloz Christophe , Abielmona Samer , Van Nguyen Hoang , Rennings Andre
Published: March 2007

The propagation and radiation properties of dual composite right/left‐handed (D‐CRLH) transmission line metamaterials are presented, and validated experimentally with a 1D microstrip prototype. In its fast‐wave regime, this structure operates as a leaky‐wave antenna capable of backfire‐to‐endfire radiation scanning with beam squinting smaller than that of conventional CRLH (C‐CRLH) antennas. It is shown that this D‐CRLH beam squinting can be further reduced by increasing the group velocity but that this can occur, close (and possibly beyond) to luminal velocities, only at the expense of losses produced by parasitic effects, a fundamental limitation which is demonstrated via the Bloch impedance concept. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Radio frequency (RF) metamaterials
Authors: Wiltshire M. C. K.
Published: March 2007

By studying metamaterials at low frequency, where wavelengths are much larger than the unit cell, the requirements of homogenization and the effective medium approximation can be easily met. The Swiss Roll medium is well‐suited to the RF frequency range, and here we review its behaviour, both as a one‐dimensional system where endoscope behaviour and magnetic “plasmons” are observed, and as a two dimensional structure which has been used to demonstrate sub‐wavelength (λ /64 resolution) imaging. In both cases, the analytical and numerical predictions based on an effective medium model are in good agreement with the measured data. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Negative refraction in a dielectric rod superlattice
Authors: Saado Y. , Neve‐Oz Y. , Golosovsky M. , Davidov D. , Frenkel A.
Published: March 2007

We studied microwave transmission, reflection, and refraction from a planar superlattice consisting of dielectric rods with two different diameters. This structural modulation results in a narrow transmission band inside the first photonic stopband. Band structure simulations indicate that this transmission band exhibits a negative phase velocity. We performed electric field mapping inside our superlattice, which revealed a negative phase velocity. In another setup we built a prism and studied transmission through it. We observed negative refraction, as expected for material with a negative refraction index. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Longitudinal capacitance design for optical left‐handed metamaterials
Authors: Schweizer H. , Fu L. , Gräbeldinger H. , Guo H. , Liu N. , Kaiser S. , Giessen H.
Published: March 2007

Transmission line analysis of metamaterials gives clear and simple relations of the immittance Z (longitudinal impedance) and the admittance Y (shunt impedance) with the material parameters of permeability and permittivity, respectively. Beyond numerical analysis methods, TL analysis allows for a characterization of the handedness of lumped elements in the corresponding equivalent circuit. For achieving left‐handed materials, simultaneous negative permittivity and permeability are sufficient. Negative permittivity is normally realized through plasmonic oscillation of electrons in metals. A question remaining in optical left‐handed metamaterials is how to design properly a longitudinal capacitance, which is a left‐handed element indispensable for achieving a negative permeability. We propose a novel approach to design the longitudinal capacitance based on a metallic inductive/capacitive grating structure formed on a ridge patterned dielectric substrate. The fabricated structure shows the expected resonance and confirms the formation of the expected capacitance. Simulations show the possibility to obtain negative indices by adding additional metal strips up to frequencies of 300 THz and beyond, which depends on the structure size. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electromagnetic resonances in single and double split‐ring resonator metamaterials in the near infrared spectral region
Authors: Liu Na , Guo Hongcang , Fu Liwei , Schweizer Heinz , Kaiser Stefan , Giessen Harald
Published: March 2007

We investigate the resonant behavior of single and double split‐ring resonators (SRRs) in the near infrared regime. The resonance differences between single and double SRRs are explored both experimentally and numerically. The analysis based on reflectance spectra and numerical near‐field distributions shows that the resonant properties of a double SRR can be understood as a combination of two individual SRRs with different sizes. Additionally, we demonstrate interactions between the outer and inner rings. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thickness dependence of the optical properties of split‐ring resonator metamaterials
Authors: Guo Hongcang , Liu Na , Fu Liwei , Schweizer Heinz , Kaiser Stefan , Giessen Harald
Published: March 2007

We study the thickness dependence of the resonances of split‐ring resonators (SRRs) in the optical regime using experiments and numerical simulations. It is shown that the so‐called LC resonance frequency of an SRR increases with its thickness. We use inductor–capacitor (LC) circuits and a plasmonic model to analyze the resonant behavior of the SRR. The plasmonic interpretation based on an equivalent cut‐wire is proven to be a good model to describe the thickness dependence of the resonant behavior of the SRR in the optical regime. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Polariton bandstructure of disordered metallic photonic crystal slabs
Authors: Nau D. , Schönhardt A. , Chigrin D. N. , Kroha H. , Christ A. , Giessen H.
Published: March 2007

We analyze the influence of disorder on the polaritonic bandstructure of metallic photonic crystal slabs. Different disorder types with varying next‐neighbor correlations and disorder amounts are implemented. Angle‐resolved transmission measurements allow to determine the relation of bandstructure and disorder. We found that uncorrelated disorder retains the bandstructure and only reduces the splitting between the gaps. Correlated disorder, however, leads to the complete destruction of the bandstructure for moderate disorder amounts due to the excitation of different modes. We present a model that shows a good agreement with the measurements. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Feature Article: Influence of the lattice discreteness on magnetic ordering in nanostructures and nanoarrays
Authors: Vedmedenko E. Y.
Published: March 2007

The cover picture shows an artist's view of magnetic, single domain, in‐plane magnetized islands (courtesy of M. Bode) superimposed with the schematic representation of corresponding magnetostatic multipolar moments. The islands possess shape‐dependent distributions of uncompensated “magnetic” charges and, hence, different multipolar moments (see Section 4 of the Feature Article [1]). The moments are imaged as equipotential surfaces of charge distributions corresponding to conventional spherical harmonics. Positive charged surfaces are red, the negative ones green. The disc‐shaped nanodots with a height equal to a diameter possess only dipolar terms, the elongated elliptic islands have a strong octopolar contribution, while the islands of even more elongated or complicated shape possess superposition of different multipoles.

Elena Vedmedenko is a research scientist of the Institute for Applied Physics at the University of Hamburg. Among other scientific topics her research activity concerns theoretical aspects of nanomagnetism. In 2005 Elena Vedmedenko was awarded the Hertha‐Sponer Prize of the German Physical Society for achievements in this area.

The issue also contains a special section on “Metamaterials – Optical Elements for the 21st Century” with papers presented at the DPG Summer School held in Bad Honnef, Germany, in September 2006.
Spotlight on training for overseas assignments. New Americans in old societies
Authors: Mangone Gerard J.
Published: March 2007

In each issue we turn turn spotlight on a key area of international management, presenting a range of competent viewpoints and a selected bibliography.
Signal Detection Models with Random Participant and Item Effects
Authors: Rouder Jeffrey N. , Lu Jun , Sun Dongchu , Speckman Paul , Morey Richard , Naveh-Benjamin Moshe
Published: March 2007

The theory of signal detection is convenient for measuring mnemonic ability in recognition memory paradigms. In these paradigms, randomly selected participants are asked to study randomly selected items. In practice, researchers aggregate data across items or participants or both. The signal detection model is nonlinear; consequently, analysis with aggregated data is not consistent. In fact, mnemonic ability is underestimated, even in the large-sample limit. We present two hierarchical Bayesian models that simultaneously account for participant and item variability. We show how these models provide for accurate estimation of participants’ mnemonic ability as well as the memorability of items. The model is benchmarked with a simulation study and applied to a novel data set.
Item Randomized-Response Models for Measuring Noncompliance: Risk-Return Perceptions, Social Influences, and Self-Protective Responses
Authors: Böckenholt Ulf , van der Heijden Peter G. M.
Published: March 2007

Randomized response (RR) is a well-known method for measuring sensitive behavior. Yet this method is not often applied because: (i) of its lower efficiency and the resulting need for larger sample sizes which make applications of RR costly; (ii) despite its privacy-protection mechanism the RR design may not be followed by every respondent; and (iii) the incorrect belief that RR yields estimates only of aggregate-level behavior but that these estimates cannot be linked to individual-level covariates. This paper addresses the efficiency problem by applying item randomized-response (IRR) models for the analysis of multivariate RR data. In these models, a person parameter is estimated based on multiple measures of a sensitive behavior under study which allow for more powerful analyses of individual differences than available from univariate RR data. Response behavior that does not follow the RR design is approached by introducing mixture components in the IRR models with one component consisting of respondents who answer truthfully and another component consisting of respondents who do not provide truthful responses. An analysis of data from two large-scale Dutch surveys conducted among recipients of invalidity insurance benefits shows that the willingness of a respondent to answer truthfully is related to the educational level of the respondents and the perceived clarity of the instructions. A person is more willing to comply when the expected benefits of noncompliance are minor and social control is strong.
Multilevel and Latent Variable Modeling with Composite Links and Exploded Likelihoods
Authors: Rabe-Hesketh Sophia , Skrondal Anders
Published: March 2007

Composite links and exploded likelihoods are powerful yet simple tools for specifying a wide range of latent variable models. Applications considered include survival or duration models, models for rankings, small area estimation with census information, models for ordinal responses, item response models with guessing, randomized response models, unfolding models, latent class models with random effects, multilevel latent class models, models with log-normal latent variables, and zero-inflated Poisson models with random effects. Some of the ideas are illustrated by estimating an unfolding model for attitudes to female work participation.
Combing and self-assembly phenomena in dry films of Taxol-stabilized microtubules
Authors: Morin FabriceOlivier , Rose Franck , Martin Pascal , Tarhan Mehmet C , Kawakatsu Hideki , Fujita Hiroyuki
Published: March 2007

Microtubules are filamentous proteins that act as a substrate for the translocation of motor proteins. As such, they may be envisioned as a scaffold for the self-assembly of functional materials and devices. Physisorption, self-assembly and combing are here investigated as a potential prelude to microtubule-templated self-assembly. Dense films of self-assembled microtubules were successfully produced, as well as patterns of both dendritic and non-dendritic bundles of microtubules. They are presented in the present paper and the mechanism of their formation is discussed.
Initial susceptibility and viscosity properties of low concentration ε-Fe3N based magnetic fluid
Authors: Huang Wei , Wu Jianmin , Guo Wei , Li Rong , Cui Liya
Published: March 2007

In this paper, the initial susceptibility of ε-Fe3N magnetic fluid at volume concentrations in the range Φ = 0.0 ∼ 0.0446 are measured. Compared with the experimental initial susceptibility, the Langevin, Weiss and Onsager susceptibility were calculated using the data obtained from the low concentration ε-Fe3N magnetic fluid samples. The viscosity of the ε-Fe3N magnetic fluid at the same concentrations is measured. The result shows that, the initial susceptibility of the low concentration ε-Fe3N magnetic fluid is proportional to the concentration. A linear relationship between relative viscosity and the volume fraction is observed when the concentration Φ < 0.02.
Photochemically reduced polyoxometalate assisted generation of silver and gold nanoparticles in composite films: a single step route
Authors: Shanmugam Sangaraju , Viswanathan Balasubramanian , Varadarajan Thirukkallam K
Published: March 2007

A simple method to embed noble metal (Ag, Au) nanoparticles in organic–inorganic nanocomposite films by single step method is described. This is accomplished by the assistance of Keggin ions present in the composite film. The photochemically reduced composite film has served both as a reducing agent and host for the metal nanoparticles in a single process. The embedded metal nanoparticles in composites film have been characterized by UV–Visible, TEM, EDAX, XPS techniques. Particles of less than 20 nm were readily embedded using the described approach, and monodisperse nanoparticles were obtained under optimized conditions. The fluorescence experiments showed that embedded Ag and Au nanoparticles are responsible for fluorescence emissions. The described method is facile and simple, and provides a simple potential route to fabricate self-standing noble metal embedded composite films.
Growth inhibitory actions of prothrombin on normal hepatocytes: Influence of matrix
Authors: Carr Brian I. , Kar Siddhartha , Wang Meifang , Wang Ziqiu
Published: March 2007

Most hepatomas have a defect in prothrombin carboxylation, and can secrete under‐carboxylated prothrombin or des‐γ‐carboxy‐prothrombin (DCP), the function of which is unknown. We considered that the prothrombin‐DCP axis might also be involved in growth control. Hepatocytes and hepatoma cells were treated with prothrombin and DNA synthesis and cytoskeletal changes were studied. Prothrombin inhibited DNA synthesis in hepatocytes on fibronectin, but not collagen matrix. Hepatoma cell lines were not inhibited. We found that hepatoma cell matrix conferred resistance to hepatocytes. Prothrombin decreased fibronectin but not collagen amounts, but only in the presence of hepatocytes and not hepatoma cells, indicating that it has a differential action on matrix proteins. It also caused changes in cell shape and actin depolymerization. In vivo, there was a decrease in plasma prothrombin activity after a partial hepatectomy (PH), concomitant with the peak of DNA synthesis in the hepatocytes at 24 h after PH. Injection of warfarin at the time of PH, further inhibited PT activity and enhanced this 24 h peak of DNA synthesis. Furthermore, repeated injection of prothrombin lowered the peak DNA synthesis after PH. The data support the hypothesis that prothrombin can act as a hepatocyte growth inhibitor, likely at the level of fibronectin loss and result in cytoskeletal changes. Hepatomas resist this action, possibly due to their different matrix proteins. This represents a novel mechanism for growth regulation and provides a possible biological significance for the tumor marker DCP.
Isolation and characterization of EG‐like cells from Chinese swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Huang Ben , Xie Ti‐San , Shi De‐Shun , Li Tong , Wang Xiao‐Li , Mo Yi , Wang Zhi‐Qiang , Li Meng‐Mei
Published: March 2007

There have been few studies done on the isolation and characterization of Chinese swamp buffalo embryonic germ cells (EG cells). Here, we first report on EG‐like cells isolated from Chinese swamp buffalo fetuses. The results showed the cells grew in large, multilayered colonies, which were densely packed with an obvious border resembling mouse embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and EG cells. The buffalo EG‐like cells expressed AP, SSEA‐1, SSEA‐3, SSEA‐4 and OCT‐4. By RT—PCR, we found that undifferentiated swamp buffalo EG‐like cells expressed the OCT‐4, NANOG, SOX2, FOXD3, GP130, STAT3, and HEB gene mRNA, but not Fgf4. When these cells were cultured for more than 2 weeks without passage, they could differentiate into several types of cells including fibroblast‐like, neuron‐like, smooth muscle‐like, and epithelial‐like cells. Some cells formed simple embryoid bodies (EBs) and cystic EBs by suspension culture. By RT—PCR, we found cystic EBs expressed FOXD3, GP130, STAT3 and HEB gene mRNA, but not OCT‐4, NANOG, and SOX2 gene mRNA, which could be detected in undifferentiated buffalo EG‐like cells. At the same time, the expression of KERATIN‐14 (Endoderm), GATA4, ACTA2 (Mesoderm) and TUBB3 (Ectoderm) gene mRNA were also detected in cystic EBs. The results suggested that these cells were capable of forming three germ layers in in vitro differentiation. The expression of OCT‐4, NANOG and SOX2 might be essential for Chinese swamp buffalo EG‐like cells in a pluripotent state. During the isolation and culture of Chinese swamp buffalo EG‐like cells, we found the fetuses that were at 30–80 days post‐coitus were more efficient than others; and the mechanical method was better than trypsin digestion. The maximal passage of the mechanical method was eight, but the trypsin digestion was just three passages. So it seemed like that the buffalo EG‐like cells were sensitive to trypsin. In summary, we were the first to isolate and characterize Chinese swamp buffalo EG‐like cells that had morphology and characterization similar to those of established EG/EG‐like cells in mouse and human.
Bivariate relative city price convergence in the United States: 1918–1997
Authors: Sonora Robert J.
Published: March 2007

As in international tests of purchasing power parity, panel unit root tests have been successful in rejecting a unit root process in U.S. city relative prices over the period 1918–1997. However, there is an empirical question of what the rejection of a ‘panel unit root’, particularly with respect to real exchange rates, means. This paper employs a variety of univariate unit root and cointegration tests which have recently come to the fore. These tests improve the power and reduce size distortion found in standard unit root and cointegration tests such as the Dickey–Fuller and Phillips–Perron tests. I find considerable evidence for rejecting a unit root process in the majority of U.S. city relative prices over the entire sample period and two subperiods. Less successful are stationarity tests conducted on regions of the U.S.
Complexity, Constraint and New Labour's Putative Neo-liberalism: A Reply to Colin Hay
Authors: CLIFT BEN , TOMLINSON JIM
Published: March 2007

Colin Hay's combative response is a welcome engagement with our ideas. Let us first set out where the battle lines are drawn. The most important points in Hay's shot across our bows relate to accommodating the notion of complexity; defining Keynesianism; invoking Labour's past; the relationship between fiscal and monetary policy; and the evidential basis for our argument.

The first point involves admitting complexity when characterizing a political economy. In essence, we agree with Hay about the need to admit complexity into the explanation and characterization of New Labour's political economy, but he does not recognize in our account that this has been successfully achieved, nor do we see it in how he characterizes the relationship between New Labour and neo-liberalism. This is in part a disagreement about how to operationalize the insight about the need to admit greater complexity into the analysis of the political economy of New Labour's macroeconomic policy making. For example, our account of complexity accepts that, under a particular set of monetary policy conditions, which are not in any straightforward sense Keynesian, it is nevertheless legitimate and useful to consider the ‘Keynesianness’ of the fiscal policy regime. Hay, by contrast, sees this as a dubious manœuvre, no doubt fuelled by the unspecified ‘normative bias’ he detects in our work and refers to enigmatically but repeatedly.

Similarly, we recognize that Hay has identified the need to admit complexity into analysis. However, in our reading of his work there remains a sense that, in the final analysis, New Labour's is a neo-liberal political economy.
The Dynamics of Voter Decision Making Among Minor-Party Supporters: The 2000 Presidential Election in the United States
Authors: HILLYGUS D. SUNSHINE
Published: March 2007

Minor party candidates are quite common in modern democratic elections, but we know relatively little about the decision-making process of minor-party supporters. An extensive panel dataset is used to examine the individual-level dynamics of Nader support in the United States during the 2000 presidential election campaign. A multinomial logit model is estimated to analyse the factors related to a Nader supporter's decision to switch support to Gore, to switch support to Bush or to remain loyal to Nader from one interview to the next. The Nader supporters most likely to switch to a major-party candidate were the most politically aware, partisans, those concerned about policy outcomes and respondents in competitive states. Nader supporters were also more likely to abandon the candidate at the ballot box rather than earlier in the campaign. These findings challenge existing expectations about campaign dynamics and appear to reflect strategic calculations on the part of Nader supporters.
The Length of Ministerial Tenure in the United Kingdom, 1945–97
Authors: BERLINSKI SAMUEL , DEWAN TORUN , DOWDING KEITH
Published: March 2007

We analyse the determinants of ministerial hazard rates in Britain from 1945 to 1997. We focus on three sets of attributes (i) personal characteristics of the minister; (ii) political characteristics of the minister; and (iii) characteristics pertaining to the government in which the minister serves. We find that educational background increases ministers' capacity to survive, that female ministers have lower hazard rates and older ministers have higher hazard rates. Experienced ministers have higher hazard rates than newly appointed ministers. Ministerial rank increases a minister's capacity to survive, with full cabinet members having the lowest hazard rates in our sample.We use different strategies to control for the characteristics of the government the minister serves in. Our results are robust to any of these controls.
The Responsive Legislature: Public Opinion and Law Making in a Highly Disciplined Legislature
Authors: CALVO ERNESTO
Published: March 2007

This article analyses how institutional and contextual factors explain the approval of presidential initiatives – presidential legislative success – in highly disciplined and cartelized assemblies. Of particular importance is to test whether public opinion, the electoral cycle and the use of different institutional rules affect the approval of presidential initiatives in Congress. Using a multilevel Bayesian model of legislative success, I model bill approval rates at individual and aggregate levels. This strategy is extremely flexible, allowing us to disentangle the different institutional and contextual factors that determine the approval of presidential initiatives in the Argentine Congress.
Bicameral Conflict Resolution in the European Union: An Empirical Analysis of Conciliation Committee Bargains
Authors: KÖNIG THOMAS , LINDBERG BJORN , LECHNER SANDRA , POHLMEIER WINFRIED
Published: March 2007

This article is a study of bicameral conflict resolution between the Council and the European Parliament in the European Union, which has established a bicameral conciliation process under the co-decision procedure. Scholars commonly agree that the European Parliament has gained power under the co-decision procedure, but the impact of the conciliation process on the power distribution between the Council and the European Parliament remains unclear. The scholarly debate suggests that the power of the institutional actors depends on their proximity to the status quo, the (im-)patience and the specific preference distribution of the institutional actors, although most analyses assume that the Commission plays an insignificant role. Using an ordered probit model, this study examines the power distribution between the two institutional actors, the factors for their bargaining success and the role of the Commission in the period between 1999 and 2002. The findings show that the European Parliament wins most conflicts, but that the Council is more successful in multi-dimensional disputes. The results confirm some theoretical claims made in the literature, such as the importance of the status quo location and of preference cohesiveness. However, they also reject a major assumption in the literature on the irrelevance of the Commission in the conciliation process, which we show to have an influential informational position for parliamentary success.
Strategic Voting Under Conditions of Uncertainty: A Re-Evaluation of Duverger's Law
Authors: CLOUGH EMILY
Published: March 2007

Political scientists have long recognized that the number of parties in a country influences the way that interests are represented in that country. One explanation for the number of parties in a system relies on the idea of strategic voting, i.e. voters may not want to ‘waste a vote’ by voting for a third party. However, work in this area does not address the role of an important factor that may affect party systems through strategic voting: information. Without polls, how could voters know which parties were likely to win, and hence how to vote strategically? Using an agent-based model, this article assesses the role that information plays in shaping the party system through strategic voting. The results of this model demonstrate that, contrary to Duverger's Law, more than two parties may emerge in single-member plurality systems, even when all voters are strategic.
The Contradictory Effects of Consensus Democracy on the Size of Government: Evidence from the Swiss Cantons
Authors: VATTER ADRIAN , FREITAG MARKUS
Published: March 2007

In this research note we have set ourselves the following three principal objectives. First, we show that the well-known concept of consensus democracy, which covers various forms of the division of power, involves analytical problems. Confusion may arise when relating consensus democracy to government action, because the institutions subsumed under the broad concept of consensus democracy, such as executive power-sharing, the multiparty system and federalism, are likely to have different and contradictory effects on the size of government. In this vein, we provide considerable evidence that different aspects of consensus democracy have contradictory effects on government size. In doing so, we endorse the view that it is only variance in the type of democracy (majoritarian versus consensus democracy) that causes systematic differences in government action. Secondly, in scrutinizing the contradictory effects of various aspects of consensus democracy on government size, we distinguish and operationalize the three different analytical views of Crepaz, Lijphart and Tsebelis on how political institutions may be distinguished with regard to their veto nature. Thirdly, we try to close a gap in understanding comparative politics, by quantifying and comparing the veto potential of direct democracy. International comparative investigations of the effects of direct democracy on public policy are hardly possible. The Swiss cantons present themselves as a suitable alternative source of evidence, given that they vary considerably with respect to their plebiscitary elements.

To understand why consensus democracies have a contradictory effect on government size, it is crucial to bear in mind that there are two separate dimensions of the majoritarian–consensual contrast.
Determinants of Social Capital: New Evidence on Religion, Diversity and Structural Change
Authors: ALEXANDER MARCUS
Published: March 2007

Americans not only bowl less today than they did fifty years ago, but also some bowl more than others. This is one of the major and simple messages of Robert Putnam's influential study of social capital in America. Using a variety of data sources, Putnam documents a significant variation in the states' levels of social capital, while arguing for specific general causes of the decline of social capital across the United States. Here, we evaluate the power of Putnam's theory in explaining state-level variation of stocks of social capital. We find that the strongest determinants of social capital levels are basic social and economic differences between states, such as education, church membership, farming and unemployment. Controlling for these determinants, we also find no evidence for a much-debated link between diversity and social capital.

Since the publication of Putnam's book, a growing quantitative literature on social capital has contributed to a much more nuanced and theoretically precise understanding of the link between social capital and the quality of American democracy. Pamela Paxton, as well as Dora Costa and Matthew Kahn, have re-examined Putnam's finding of the aggregate decline in social capital in the United States since the 1960s. Putnam's claim that higher levels of social capital improve the functioning of democracy on the state level has been examined systematically by, among others, Stephen Knack and Tom W. Rice. On a methodological level, Eric M. Uslaner has argued for a need to disaggregate different concepts of trust, and focus on generalized social trust and its effect on making democracy more effective.
Particulate organic carbon fluxes along upwelling‐dominated continental margins: Rates and mechanisms
Authors: Thunell Robert , Benitez‐Nelson Claudia , Varela Ramon , Astor Yrene , Muller‐Karger Frank
Published: March 2007

Time series sediment trap samples were used to examine the rates and mechanisms of particulate organic carbon (POC) flux at three continental margin locations, Santa Barbara Basin, Cariaco Basin, and Guaymas Basin, marked by seasonal upwelling and high primary production. The mean POC flux in Santa Barbara Basin (0.096 g m−2 d−1) is nearly twice that of Cariaco Basin and 4 times higher than that in Guaymas Basin, with all three sites having POC fluxes significantly higher than the open ocean average (0.007 g m−2 d−1). In Cariaco Basin, the only site with available primary production numbers, there is no significant relationship between POC flux and monthly primary production. Rather, POC fluxes in all three areas strongly correlate with mineral (carbonate, opal, and lithogenic material) fluxes. This supports the “mineral ballast” hypothesis, where it has been suggested that higher‐density minerals enhance the flux of organic matter to the deep ocean. On the basis of multiple regression analysis, the three mineral components explain 72% of the total variance in POC fluxes at the three study sites, with biogenic carbonate particles being the most effective transport mineral.
Numerical modeling of the growth and drowning of Hawaiian coral reefs during the last two glacial cycles (0–250 kyr)
Authors: Webster Jody M. , Wallace Laura M. , Clague David A. , Braga Juan Carlos
Published: March 2007

Drowned coral reefs on rapidly subsiding margins possess a unique archive of sea level and climate changes, generally unavailable from stable or uplifting margins. Using available field observations and sedimentary, radiometric age, and numerical modeling data, we propose a new model of submerged reef development around Hawaii during the last two glacial cycles (250 kyr). This model provides a quantitative predictive stratigraphy for the reefs that we argue, if drilled, will yield new information on sea level and climate changes, as well as coral reef response over the last 250 kyr. Comparing the observational and numerical modeling data, combined with sensitivity testing, we present our “best case” scenario for the evolution of the drowned lowstand reefs now at −400 (H2) and −150 m (H1). We find that growth rates of 2.5–2.85 m/kyr for the main shallow reef building facies, a subsidence rate of 2.5 m/kyr, and a variable basement substrate configuration best explain the observational data. Modeling of the internal stratigraphic succession of the reefs shows that the number and thickness of shallow reef units, as well as the frequency and duration of subaerial exposure and reef‐drowning events, are sensitive to the frequency and amplitude of eustatic sea level variations but not the rate of subaerial erosion. H2 and H1 initiated growth during stable eustatic sea level conditions during highstands circa 222 ka (MIS7) and circa 126 ka (MIS5e), respectively. Both H2 and H1 have a long and complex growth history, growing episodically for ∼90 kyr. Precessional (∼20 kyr) and higher‐frequency, suborbital eustatic sea level fluctuations dominate, with each reef experiencing repeated but brief (<5–10 kyr) drowning and subaerial exposure, producing a complex layer cake stratigraphy of shallow (0–30 m) coral reef units separated by either subaerial exposure horizons or thin, intermediate (30–60 m) coralgal units. Final drowning of H2 and H1 occurs during the penultimate (133–134 ka) and last deglaciation (12–14 ka). These findings are consistent with available age data and qualitative predictions of previous studies around Hawaii.
Effects of the 2004 El Niño on tropospheric ozone and water vapor
Authors: Chandra S. , Ziemke J. R. , Schoeberl M. R. , Froidevaux L. , Read W. G. , Levelt P. F. , Bhartia P. K.
Published: March 2007

The global effects of the 2004 El Niño on tropospheric ozone and H2O based on Aura OMI and MLS measurements are analyzed. Although it was a weak El Niño from a historical perspective, it produced significant changes in these parameters in tropical latitudes. Tropospheric ozone increased by 10–20% over most of the western Pacific region and decreased by about the same amount over the eastern Pacific region. H2O in the upper troposphere showed similar changes but with opposite sign. These zonal changes in tropospheric ozone and H2O are caused by the eastward shift in the Walker circulation in the tropical pacific region during El Niño. During the 2004 El Niño, biomass burning did not have a significant effect on the ozone budget in the troposphere, unlike the 1997 El Niño. Zonally averaged tropospheric column ozone did not change significantly either globally or over tropical latitudes.
No evidence for acid‐catalyzed secondary organic aerosol formation in power plant plumes over metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia
Authors: Peltier R. E. , Sullivan A. P. , Weber R. J. , Wollny A. G. , Holloway J. S. , Brock C. A. , de Gouw J. A. , Atlas E. L.
Published: March 2007

Aircraft‐based measurements of the water‐soluble fraction of fine PM organic carbon (WSOC) and inorganic salt composition in the Atlanta, GA region were conducted in the summer of 2004. Five notable plumes of SO2, apparently from coal‐fired power plants, were intercepted, and had NH4+/SO42− molar ratios ranging from approximately 0.8 to 1.4 compared to molar ratios near 2 outside of the plumes. Sulfate aerosol concentrations increased from a regional background of 5–8 μg m−3 to as high as 19.5 μg m−3 within these plumes. No increase in WSOC concentrations was observed in plumes compared to out‐of‐plumes within a WSOC measurement uncertainty of 8%. These measurements suggest that secondary organic aerosol formation via heterogeneous acid‐catalyzed reactions within power plant plumes are not likely a significant contributor to the ambient aerosol mass loading in Atlanta and the surrounding region. Because this region is rich in both biogenic and anthropogenic volatile organic carbon (VOC), the results may be widely applicable.
Role of coronal mass ejections in the heliospheric Hale cycle
Authors: Owens M. J. , Schwadron N. A. , Crooker N. U. , Hughes W. J. , Spence H. E.
Published: March 2007

The 11‐year solar cycle variation in the heliospheric magnetic field strength can be explained by the temporary buildup of closed flux released by coronal mass ejections (CMEs). If this explanation is correct, and the total open magnetic flux is conserved, then the interplanetary‐CME closed flux must eventually open via reconnection with open flux close to the Sun. In this case each CME will move the reconnected open flux by at least the CME footpoint separation distance. Since the polarity of CME footpoints tends to follow a pattern similar to the Hale cycle of sunspot polarity, repeated CME eruption and subsequent reconnection will naturally result in latitudinal transport of open solar flux. We demonstrate how this process can reverse the coronal and heliospheric fields, and we calculate that the amount of flux involved is sufficient to accomplish the reversal within the 11 years of the solar cycle.
Transition from locked to creeping subduction in the Shumagin region, Alaska
Authors: Fournier Thomas J. , Freymueller Jeffrey T.
Published: March 2007

GPS velocities from the Alaska Peninsula are modeled to determine the extent of locking on the Alaska‐Aleutian subduction interface. The observations, which span from the Semidi Islands to Sanak Island, encompass the 1938, Mw 8.3, rupture zone and the transition into the Shumagin gap. Model parameters are optimized using a simulated annealing method. Coupling variation along strike of the plate interface show a nearly fully locked (90%) subduction zone at the Semidi Islands, decreasing to about 30% locked at the Shumagin Islands, and freely slipping to the west of the Shumagins. Independent rupture of the Shumagin segment could produce repeated Mw 7.6 earthquakes, unless a significant fraction of the slip on the interface occurs as afterslip following large earthquakes. Southwest directed velocities at most of the sites may be attributed to clockwise rotation of a Bering block.
Equation of state and high‐pressure stability of Fe3P‐schreibersite: Implications for phosphorus storage in planetary cores
Authors: Scott Henry P. , Huggins Sabrina , Frank Mark R. , Maglio Steven J. , Martin C. David , Meng Yue , Santillán Javier , Williams Quentin
Published: March 2007

We have collected in situ X‐ray diffraction patterns of end‐member Fe3P‐schreibersite in a diamond anvil cell to pressures of 30 GPa at 300 K. Some samples of Fe3P were also laser heated at high pressure to temperatures of ∼2000 K and examined following thermal quench. Below 8 GPa, variation of the schreibersite unit cell delineates a smooth pressure‐volume curve corresponding to a second order Birch‐Murnaghan equation of state with bulk modulus, K0T, of 159(1) GPa. Above 8 GPa, however, the schreibersite structure shows substantial stiffening, and an unidentified structure develops between 17 and 30 GPa; upon decompression to ambient pressure the schreibersite structure returns. Therefore, although ubiquitous in iron‐rich meteorites, it is unlikely that schreibersite is the stable phosphorus‐bearing phase in deep planetary cores.