bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electron Spin Resonance Study of p-Phenylene-Diamine Positive Ion
Authors: Melchior M. T. , Maki A. H.
Published: November 2013

The mono-positive radical ion of p-phenylene diamine has been prepared by controlled potential electrolysis and studied by electron spin resonance. This ion has been formed in acetonitrile solution with sodium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte and the controlled potential electrolysis has been carried out in the microwave cavity of the ESR spectrometer. The ion exhibits a complex hyperfine structure in dilute solution; the observed spectrum consists of about 75 hyperfine components. Isotropic hyperfine coupling constants have been assigned for the three types of interacting nuclei: the aromatic ring protons, amine protons, and the nitrogen nuclei. The large nitrogen hyperfine interaction observed is in marked contrast to Würster’s Blue cation, for which this interaction is vanishingly small. ESR spectra of deuterated derivatives have been obtained and employed in making the assignment. The magnitude of the nitrogen hyperfine interaction relative to that of the amine protons is shown to be consistent with the mechanism of a π-σ electron exchange interaction on the nitrogen atom. Electrochemical generation allows the study of the relatively unstable ion-radical, whereas other methods of preparation have been less successful.
Production of beams from solid materials at Center for Nuclear Study electron cyclotron resonance ion source
Authors: Ohshiro Y. , Yamaka S. , Watanabe S. , Kobayashi K. , Kotaka Y. , Nishimura M. , Kase M. , Muto H. , Yamaguchi H. , Shimoura S.
Published: November 2013

Two methods for the feed of vapor from solid materials in the Center for Nuclear Study ECR ion source are described. A rod placed near the wall of the plasma chamber, operating up to a melting point of 2600 °C, has been used for CaO, SiO2, and FeO. An oven with a number of openings, operating up to 800 °C, has been used for P2O5, Li, and S. Typical ion beam intensities of 7Li2+, 6Li3+, 40Ca12+, and 56Fe15+ are achieved 280, 75, 28, and 7 eμA, respectively. High intensity heavy ion beams are stably supplied into the azimuthally varying field cyclotron.
Mechanisms in environmentally assisted one-photon phase control
Authors: Pachón Leonardo A. , Brumer Paul
Published: November 2013

The ability of an environment to assist in one-photon phase control relies upon entanglement between the system and bath and on the breaking of the time reversal symmetry. Here, one-photon phase control is examined analytically and numerically in a model system, allowing an analysis of the relative strength of these contributions. Further, the significant role of non-Markovian dynamics and of moderate system-bath coupling in enhancing one-photon phase control is demonstrated, and an explicit role for quantum mechanics is noted in the existence of initial non-zero stationary coherences. Finally, desirable conditions are shown to be required to observe such environmentally assisted control, since the system will naturally equilibrate with its environment at longer times, ultimately resulting in the loss of phase control.
Non-uniform volumetric structures in Richtmyer-Meshkov flows
Authors: Stanic M. , McFarland J. , Stellingwerf R. F. , Cassibry J. T. , Ranjan D. , Bonazza R. , Greenough J. A. , Abarzhi S. I.
Published: November 2013

We perform an integrated study of volumetric structures in Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) flows induced by moderate shocks. Experiments, theoretical analyses, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics simulations, and ARES Arbitrary Lagrange Eulerian simulations are employed to analyze RM evolution for fluids with contrast densities in case of moderately small amplitude initial perturbation at the fluid interface. After the shock passage the dynamics of the fluids is a superposition of the background motion and the interfacial mixing, and only a small part of the shock energy is available for interfacial mixing. We find that in the fluid bulk the flow fields are non-uniform at small scales, and the heterogeneous volumetric structures include reverse jets, shock-focusing effects, and local hot spots with the temperature substantially higher than that in the ambient.
11CH4 molecule production using a NaBH4 target for 11C ion acceleration
Authors: Katagiri Ken , Nagatsu Koutaro , Minegishi Katsuyuki , Suzuki Kazutoshi , Hojo Satoru , Muramatsu Masayuki , Honma Toshihiro , Kitagawa Atsushi , Noda Akira , Noda Koji
Published: November 2013

Solid-state materials suitable for use as proton irradiation targets were investigated for producing high-purity 11CH4 molecules for heavy-ion cancer therapy. The radioactivity of gas produced by proton irradiation was measured for several target materials. Also, the radioactive molecular species of the produced gas were analyzed by radio gas chromatography. We found that 5 × 1012 11C molecules could be collected by proton irradiation on a NaBH4 target. We also found that the 11CH4 molecules were produced and collected directly from the irradiated target, owing to the hydrogen atoms bound in the solid-state NaBH4.
Geometric analysis of transient bursts
Authors: Osinga Hinke M. , Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira T.
Published: November 2013

We consider the effect of a brief stimulation from the rest state of a minimal neuronal model with multiple time scales. Such transient dynamics brings out the intrinsic bursting capabilities of the system. Our main goal is to show that a minimum of three dimensions is enough to generate spike-adding phenomena in transient responses, and that the onset of a new spike can be tracked using existing continuation packages. We take a geometric approach to illustrate how the underlying fast subsystem organises the spike adding in much the same way as for spike adding in periodic bursts, but the bifurcation analysis for spike onset is entirely different. By using a generic model, we further strengthen claims made in our earlier work that our numerical method for spike onset can be used for a broad class of systems.
Experimental validation of Mueller-Stokes theory and investigation of the influence of the Cotton-Mouton effect on polarimetry in a magnetized fusion plasma
Authors: Zhang J. , Peebles W. A. , Crocker N. A. , Carter T. A. , Doyle E. J. , Hyatt A. W. , Rhodes T. L. , Wang G. , Zeng L.
Published: November 2013

Mueller-Stokes theory can be used to calculate the polarization evolution of an electromagnetic (EM) wave as it propagates through a magnetized plasma. Historically, the theory has been used to interpret polarimeter signals from systems operating on fusion plasmas. These interpretations have mostly employed approximations of Mueller-Stokes theory in regimes where either the Faraday rotation (FR) or the Cotton-Mouton (CM) effect is dominant. The current paper presents the first systematic comparison of polarimeter measurements with the predictions of full Mueller-Stokes theory where conditions transition smoothly from a FR-dominant (i.e., weak CM effect) plasma to one where the CM effect plays a significant role. A synthetic diagnostic code, based on Mueller-Stokes theory accurately reproduces the trends evident in the experimentally measured polarimeter phase over this entire operating range, thereby validating Mueller-Stokes theory. The synthetic diagnostic code is then used to investigate the influence of the CM effect on polarimetry measurements. As expected, the measurements are well approximated by the FR effect when the CM effect is predicted to be weak. However, the code shows that as the CM effect increases, it can compete with the FR effect in rotating the polarization of the EM-wave. This results in a reduced polarimeter response to the FR effect, just as observed in the experiment. The code also shows if sufficiently large, the CM effect can even reverse the handedness of a wave launched with circular polarization. This helps to understand the surprising experimental observations that the sensitivity to the FR effect can be nearly eliminated at high enough BT (2.0 T). The results also suggest that the CM effect on the plasma midplane can be exploited to potentially measure magnetic shear in tokamak plasmas. These results establish increased confidence in the use of such a synthetic diagnostic code to guide future polarimetry design and interpret the resultant experimental data.
The electrically detected magnetic resonance microscope: Combining conductive atomic force microscopy with electrically detected magnetic resonance
Authors: Klein Konrad , Hauer Benedikt , Stoib Benedikt , Trautwein Markus , Matich Sonja , Huebl Hans , Astakhov Oleksandr , Finger Friedhelm , Bittl Robert , Stutzmann Martin , Brandt Martin S.
Published: November 2013

We present the design and implementation of a scanning probe microscope, which combines electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) and (photo-)conductive atomic force microscopy ((p)cAFM). The integration of a 3-loop 2-gap X-band microwave resonator into an AFM allows the use of conductive AFM tips as a movable contact for EDMR experiments. The optical readout of the AFM cantilever is based on an infrared laser to avoid disturbances of current measurements by absorption of straylight of the detection laser. Using amorphous silicon thin film samples with varying defect densities, the capability to detect a spatial EDMR contrast is demonstrated. Resonant current changes as low as 20 fA can be detected, allowing the method to realize a spin sensitivity of $8 \times 10^6{\rm spins}/\sqrt{\rm Hz}$8×106 spins / Hz at room temperature.
Wide-range cyclic phase matching and second harmonic generation in whispering gallery resonators
Authors: Lin Guoping , Fürst Josef U. , Strekalov Dmitry V. , Yu Nan
Published: November 2013

We report on a wide-range efficient method for optical second harmonic generation based on a whispering gallery mode resonator made from crystalline beta barium borate. In this single resonator, we were able to generate second harmonic fields for four different pump wavelengths ranging from the infrared (1557 nm) to the visible (634 nm) regime. The highest conversion efficiencies achieved in this whispering gallery mode resonator are as high as 4.6% (mW)−1. This conversion process is based on type-I phase matching with continuously varying optical axis orientation in an xy-cut configuration of the resonator. In such a geometry, the second harmonic whispering gallery mode experiences an oscillatory modulation of the refractive index. This enables wide-range cyclic phase matching along the circumference of the disk resonator.
Electronic transition and electrical transport properties of delafossite CuCr1−xMgxO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 12%) films prepared by the sol-gel method: A composition dependence study
Authors: Han M. J. , Duan Z. H. , Zhang J. Z. , Zhang S. , Li Y. W. , Hu Z. G. , Chu J. H.
Published: November 2013

Highly transparent CuCr1−xMgxO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 12%) films were prepared on (001) sapphire substrates by sol-gel method. The microstructure, phonon modes, optical band gap, and electrical transport properties have been systematically discussed. It was found that Mg-doping improved the crystal quality and enhanced the (00l) preferred orientation. The spectral transmittance of films approaches about 70%–75% in the visible-near-infrared wavelength region. With increasing Mg-composition, the optical band gap first declines and climbs up due to the band gap renormalization and Burstein-Moss effect. The direct and indirect band gaps of CuCr0.94Mg0.06O2 film are 3.00 and 2.56 eV, respectively. In addition, it shows a crossover from the thermal activation behavior to that of three-dimensional variable range hopping from temperature-dependent electrical conductivity. The crossover temperature decreases with increasing Mg-doping composition, which can be ascribed to the change of spin-charge coupling between the hole and the local spin at Cr site. It should be noted that the electrical conductivity of CuCr1−xMgxO2 films becomes larger with increasing x value. The highest electrical conductivity of 3.85 S cm−1 at room temperature for x = 12% is four-order magnitude larger than that (8.81 × 10−4 S cm−1) for pure CuCrO2 film. The high spectral transmittance and larger conductivity indicate that Mg-doped CuCrO2 films are promising for optoelectronic device applications.
Biaxially strained extremely-thin body In0.53Ga0.47As-on-insulator metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors on Si substrate and physical understanding on their electron mobility
Authors: Kim SangHyeon , Yokoyama Masafumi , Nakane Ryosho , Ichikawa Osamu , Osada Takenori , Hata Masahiko , Takenaka Mitsuru , Takagi Shinichi
Published: November 2013

We report the electrical characteristics of strained In0.53Ga0.47As-on-insulator (-OI) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) on Si substrates fabricated by a direct wafer bonding (DWB) technique. 1.7% highly strained In0.53Ga0.47As-OI structures are fabricated on Si substrate by DWB. Strained In0.53Ga0.47As-OI MOSFETs with Ni-InGaAs metal source/drain (S/D) have been operated with high on-current (Ion)/off-current (Ioff) ratio of ∼105 and good current saturation in output characteristics. MOSFETs with 1.7% tensile strain exhibits 1.65 × effective mobility (μeff) enhancement against In0.53Ga0.47As MOSFET without strain. We found that this μeff enhancement is attributed to the increase in mobile free electron concentration under tensile strain, which leads to the lowering in the conduction band minimum (CBM) and the increase in the energy difference between CBM and the Fermi level pinning position due to a large amount of interface states by Hall measurements.
Review of suicide-prevention programs in Queensland: state- and community-level activities
Authors: Arnautovska Urska , Kolves Kairi , Ide Naoko , De Leo Diego
Published: November 2013

Objective Information regarding the availability of suicide-prevention programs in Australia is sparse and rather difficult to obtain. This study aimed to report and describe suicide and/or self-harm-prevention programs in Queensland. Methods Programs were classified by type of intervention, predominant type of program, setting of delivery and targeted population-at-risk. Results Sixty-six organisations were identified, providing a total of 101 suicide-prevention programs. The majority of programs operated at the prevention or treatment level, with less than half providing continuing (long-term) care. The programs targeted 12 different risk groups and were most frequently delivered within community settings. Conclusions The findings show a diverse distribution of activities across the levels of prevention and different risk populations. This survey demonstrates the existence of remarkable gaps in coverage and provision of programs for specific high-risk groups. What is known about the topic? Although suicide prevention in Australia has recently received considerable attention, there is currently no complete list or register of suicide-prevention programs. This reduces the opportunity for people at risk to access help, as well as agencies to link and build on existing models of service. What does this paper add? This study is unique in identifying and reviewing suicide-prevention programs that are funded by national or state suicide-prevention strategies, as well as those funded by private and community-based organisations. The identified programs are matched with the actual suicide risk of the targeted subpopulations, indicating a lack or overlap of programs for specific populations. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper is particularly relevant for policy makers as it identifies potential gaps in the provision of suicide-prevention programs for specific at-risk populations in Queensland. The relevance of the paper for practitioners, however, is in encouraging them to re-examine the provision of their services considering the entire continuum of suicide-prevention activities.
Defining the role and scope of practice of allied health assistants within Queensland public health services
Authors: Stute Michelle , Hurwood Andrea , Hulcombe Julie , Kuipers Pim
Published: November 2013

Background The uptake and utilisation of allied health assistants as professional support staff has been variable across disciplines and jurisdictions. Although they are potentially very important in the current health workforce context, there is little agreement on their roles or the most suitable methods to define these roles. Method Based on a review of literature, existing role descriptions and focus groups, a Delphi survey process was undertaken. This process comprising three rounds of discussion and clarification via email, with between 107 and 188 participants, was undertaken to define and establish consensus on allied health assistant roles at three levels. Results Three cycles of editing, qualitative feedback and rating of agreement with statements resulted in substantial clarification of roles and a meaningful degree of consensus regarding the role and scope of such positions. High levels of agreement were not reached for more high-level or contested clinical tasks. Conclusions The Delphi process resulted in key tasks and roles being defined and contentious aspects clearly identified. The process facilitated engagement with workforce members most closely affected by these questions. It was a useful means of drawing together the opinions of the workforce and informing implementation trials to follow. What is known about the topic? Allied health assistants are important members of health teams. Current developments in health services necessitate considerable growth in these positions. The role and scope of practice of allied health assistants is poorly defined and varies between disciplines, settings and facilities, which threatens the establishment of these positions. What does this paper add? This study describes a methodology used to define the role and scope of practice of allied health support staff, which resulted in high levels of consensus and documentation of concerns regarding these positions. Tasks and roles have been defined at different allied health assistant position levels. What are the implications for practitioners? The definition of roles and establishment of scope of practice of emerging positions can be substantially advanced by well researched and widely consultative methods. For more advanced allied health assistant positions to be effectively implemented, tasks relating to treatment, leadership, documentation, assessment and team participation must be clearly elucidated and agreed.
Aged care nurse practitioners in Australia: evidence for the development of their role
Authors: Clark Shannon , Parker Rhian , Prosser Brenton , Davey Rachel
Published: November 2013

Aim To consider evidence surrounding the emerging role of nurse practitioners in Australia with a particular focus on the provision of healthcare to older people. Methods Methods used included keyword, electronic database and bibliographic searches of international literature, as well as review of prominent policy reports in relation to aged care and advanced nursing roles. Results This paper reports on evidence from systematic reviews and international studies that show that nurse practitioners improve healthcare outcomes, particularly for hard to service populations. It also maps out the limited Australian evidence on the impact of nurse practitioners’ care in aged care settings. Conclusions If Australia is to meet the health needs of its ageing population, more evidence on the effectiveness, economic viability and sustainability of models of care, including those utilising nurse practitioners, is required. What is known about the topic? Australia, like many industrialised countries, faces unprecedented challenges in the provision of health services to an ageing population. Attempts to respond to these challenges have resulted in changing models of healthcare and shifting professional boundaries, including the development of advance practice roles for nurses. One such role is that of the nurse practitioner. There is international evidence that nurse practitioners provide high-quality healthcare. Despite being established in the United States for nearly 50 years, nurse practitioners are a relatively recent addition to the Australian health workforce. What does this paper add? This paper positions a current Australian evaluation of nurse practitioners in aged care against the background of the development of the role of nurse practitioners internationally, evidence for the effectiveness of the role, and evidence for nurse practitioners in aged care. Recent legislative changes in Australia now mean that private nurse practitioner roles can be fully implemented and hence evaluated. In the face of the increasing demands of an ageing population, the paper highlights limitations in current Australian evidence for nurse practitioners in aged care and identifies the importance of a national evaluation to begin to address these limitations. What are the implications for practitioners? The success of future healthcare planning and policy depends on implementing effective initiatives to address the needs of older Australians. Mapping the terrain of contemporary evidence for nurse practitioners highlights the need for more research into nurse practitioner roles and their effectiveness across Australia. Understanding the boundaries and limitations to current evidence is relevant for all involved with health service planning and delivery.
Serotiny in southern hemisphere conifers
Authors: Ladd P. G. , Midgley J. J. , Nield A. P.
Published: November 2013

Serotiny is a widespread trait in angiosperms in the southern hemisphere; however, it is less common in conifers and has been little examined in the only two genera of southern conifers (Callitris and Widdringtonia) that have serotinous cones. There is variation across the family in the size of cones, the amount of seed contained and the time over which the cones stay closed on the plant. Cones from most of the species were collected in the field and various morphometric measurements made including cone wet and dry weight, the number of seeds contained and their likely viability. Cones from a selection of species with different cone sizes were heated to increasing temperatures, to investigate the ability of cones to protect the contained seeds from heat. In comparison to the flowering plants, serotiny has developed comparatively recently in southern conifers (in the last 10–20 million years). In Widdringtonia, serotiny is relatively weak, whereas in Callitris, it varies from strong to non-existent. Cone size and fertile-seed production across the two genera varies and the number of fertile seeds produced is positively related to the size of the cone. In some species, there are sterile seed-like bodies. These may have developed to confuse seed predators, so fertile seeds have a better chance of survival. Larger (heavier) cones are more effective in protecting the contained seeds from the heat of fires than are smaller ones. There is no simple relationship between the cone size and type of environment occupied by the species. In regions where fire is unlikely, predictable but mild or completely unpredictable, the species tend to be non-serotinous. In temperate regions where hot fires are likely to have been a selective agent, the species tend to be more strongly serotinous, although fire is not essential to open the cones. The community and environment in which a species has evolved is likely to have influenced the development of the degree of serotiny for each species and this may still be a variable property among populations of some species, depending on the fire regime of the area in which they grow.
A Facile Approach to Fabrication of Novel Magnetic Hydrogels Crosslinked by Multi-Functional Pomegranate-Like Nanospheres
Authors: Xia Mengge , Wang Yiheng , Zhang Yan , Cheng Yanhua , Chen Shaohua , Wang Ruili , Meng Zhouqi , Zhu Meifang
Published: November 2013

A facile approach was explored to fabricate a novel magnetic hydrogel using pomegranate-like functional magnetic nanospheres (FMNs) as photoactive crosslinker and polyacrylamide as polymer matrix by photoinitiated free radical polymerization. These novel pomegranate-like FMNs were prepared by embedding Fe3O4 nanoparticles into polystyrene by miniemulsion polymerization. The effect of FMN concentration, acrylamide monomer molar concentration, polymerization time on the magnetic properties, morphology, swelling behaviour, and dynamic mechanical properties of magnetic hydrogels were systematically investigated. Our synthetic route expands the application of these materials in the fields of smart magnetic switches, targeted drug release, biomimetic sensors, and chemical devices.
Prostate cancer testing: a snapshot of the attitudes and practice of Australian general practitioners
Authors: Crowe Jane , Wootten Addie C. , Howard Nicholas
Published: November 2013

The role of the General Practitioner (GP) in testing for and managing men with prostate cancer (PCa) is significant. Very few studies have explored the attitudes and practices of Australian GPs in the context of the role of PCa testing. In this study, a 46-item web-based questionnaire was used to assess self-reported PCa testing attitudes and practices of GPs. This questionnaire was circulated to divisions of general practice and Medicare locals for further distribution to their GP members across Australia. GPs from all states and territories participated, and a total of 136 GPs completed the survey. Of the responding GPs, 57% always or usually offered PCa testing to asymptomatic men ≤70 years of age and 60% of GPs always or usually included a digital rectal examination (DRE). Many (80%) of the GPs stated that the current PCa testing guidelines were not clear. PCa testing was offered opportunistically by 56% while 39% offered testing at the patient’s request. The results captured in this study represent a snapshot of GP attitudes and practices from across Australia. The results presented indicate a wide variation in the approaches to PCa testing in general practice across Australia, which in most part appear to be related to the lack of clarity of the current prostate cancer testing guidelines.
Effect of vehicle and route of administration of letrozole on ovarian function in a bovine model
Authors: Yapura M. J. , Mapletoft R. J. , Pierson R. A. , Singh J. , Adams G. P.
Published: November 2013

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of vehicle and route of administration of letrozole on ovarian function in sexually mature beef heifers. On Day 3 (Day 0 = ovulation), heifers were assigned randomly to four treatment groups and given 1 mg kg–1 letrozole intravenously (iv, n = 10) or intramuscularly (im, n = 10) or given a placebo iv (control iv, n = 5) or im (control im, n = 5). The interwave interval was longer in heifers treated with letrozole im than in im and iv controls (11.7 ± 0.30 vs 9.5 ± 0.50 and 10 ± 0.43, respectively; P < 0.05). Corpus luteum diameter profiles and plasma progesterone concentrations were greater (P < 0.03 and P < 0.05, respectively) in heifers treated with letrozole im compared with control im. Plasma oestradiol concentrations were lower in both letrozole-treated groups compared with controls (P ≤ 0.03). Plasma LH concentrations tended to be elevated at the time of wave emergence in heifers treated with letrozole im compared with other groups (group-by-day interaction, P = 0.06) and plasma FSH concentrations tended to be greater (P < 0.09) in heifers treated with letrozole by either route compared with a single control group. We conclude that intramuscular administration of letrozole in oil is a feasible route and vehicle for the development of a letrozole-based treatment protocol for herd synchronisation in cattle.
Identification of a Previously Undescribed Satellite RNA Associated with a Cucumber mosaic virus Subgroup II Strain from Pratia pedunculata in Ohio
Authors: Fisher John R.
Published: November 2013

To our knowledge, the results represent the first confirmed report of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) infecting Blue Star Creeper (Pratia pedunculata). These findings support the notion that ornamental hosts are serving as reservoirs for CMV and in some cases satRNA.

Accepted for publication 17 June 2013. Published 1 September 2013.
First Report of Arabis mosaic virus Infecting Vinca minor in Ohio
Authors: Fisher John R.
Published: November 2013

These results represent the first confirmed report of Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) infecting periwinkle (Vinca minor) in Ohio. Growers should be aware of ArMV as a threat to the industry due to its wide host range and ease of transmission, and of Vinca minor as a potential perennial reservoir for the virus since periwinkle is propagated by seed, division, and by cuttings.

Accepted for publication 21 June 2013. Published 1 September 2013.
Preharvest Applications of Fungicides for Control of Sphaeropsis Rot in Stored Apples
Authors: Kim Y. K. , Xiao C. L.
Published: November 2013

Sphaeropsis rot caused by Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens is a recently reported postharvest fruit rot disease of apple in Washington State and causes significant economic losses. Infection of apple fruit by the fungus occurs in the orchard, but decay symptoms develop during storage or in the market. The objective of this study was to evaluate preharvest fungicide applications to control Sphaeropsis rot. Thirty isolates of the fungus collected from various sources were tested for sensitivity to the registered fungicides Pristine, Topsin M, and Ziram using an in vitro mycelial growth assay. In the orchard, ‘Golden Delicious' apple fruit were inoculated with the conidial suspension of the fungus at 2 or 5 weeks before harvest, sprayed with fungicides within 2 weeks before harvest, and harvested and stored at 0°C for disease evaluation. All three fungicides effectively inhibited mycelial growth of the fungus in the in vitro tests. On apple fruit in four seasons, Pristine applied 1 week and Ziram applied 2 weeks before harvest significantly reduced incidence of Sphaeropsis rot compared to the nontreated control by 43 to 80% and 42 to 83%, respectively. In 4 years of testing, the performance of Topsin M was less consistent than that of Pristine and Ziram.

Accepted for publication 18 July 2013. Published 19 September 2013.
Fungicide Spray Volume and Pruning Impact Performance of a Warning System for Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck on Apple
Authors: Batzer Jean C. , McManus Patricia S. , Gleason Mark L.
Published: November 2013

The sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) fungal complex degrades apples by blemishing the surface, reducing the fresh market value up to 90%. In the Upper Midwest United States, growers apply 3 to 8 fungicide sprays starting shortly after petal fall until harvest. The Brown/Sutton/Hartman SBFS warning system uses the duration of daily wet periods to extend the interval between the fungicide spray that is applied 10 days after petal fall (“first cover spray”) and the subsequent spray (“second cover spray”) to until a 175-h cumulative threshold is reached. When we tested this warning system in the Upper Midwest, SBFS incidence was significantly higher in the warning system treatments than in the calendar-based controls in 12 of 28 demonstration trials in commercial orchards. The causes for failure of the warning system were uncertain, but may have been related to pruning and spray volume practices by individual growers. In this study, we compared the effects of pruning and spray volume on the performance of the Brown/Sutton/Hartman warning system in Wisconsin and Iowa. Results of six orchard-year replicated trials and nine non-replicated demonstrations in commercial orchards suggested that both annual pruning and spray volume of at least 100 gal/acre enhance the success of this SBFS warning system and these practices were more beneficial with semi-dwarf than fully dwarf trees.

Accepted for publication 17 June 2013. Published 30 September 2013.
Identification of Lily mottle virus and Lily symptomless virus Co-infecting Asiatic Lily in Ohio
Authors: Fisher John R. , Rutherford Savannah C. , Fleming Nicole K.
Published: November 2013

In this brief, the authors report the first detection of Lily mottle virus and Lily symptomless virus co-infecting Asiatic lily in Ohio.

Accepted for publication 16 October 2013. Published 17 October 2013.
Coordinate Nodal and BMP inhibition directs Baf60c-dependent cardiomyocyte commitment
Authors: Cai Wenqing , Albini Sonia , Wei Ke , Willems Erik , Guzzo Rosa M. , Tsuda Masanao , Giordani Lorenzo , Spiering Sean , Kurian Leo , Yeo Gene W. , Puri Pier Lorenzo , Mercola Mark
Published: November 2013

A critical but molecularly uncharacterized step in heart formation and regeneration is the process that commits progenitor cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Here, we show that the endoderm-derived dual Nodal/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist Cerberus-1 (Cer1) in embryonic stem cell cultures orchestrates two signaling pathways that direct the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex to cardiomyogenic loci in multipotent (KDR/Flk1+) progenitors, activating lineage-specific transcription. Transient inhibition of Nodal by Cer1 induces Brahma-associated factor 60c (Baf60c), one of three Baf60 variants (a, b, and c) that are mutually exclusively assembled into SWI/SNF. Blocking Nodal and BMP also induces lineage-specific transcription factors Gata4 and Tbx5, which interact with Baf60c. siRNA to Cer1, Baf60c, or the catalytic SWI/SNF subunit Brg1 prevented the developmental opening of chromatin surrounding the Nkx2.5 early cardiac enhancer and cardiomyocyte differentiation. Overexpression of Baf60c fully rescued these deficits, positioning Baf60c and SWI/SNF function downstream from Cer1. Thus, antagonism of Nodal and BMP coordinates induction of the myogenic Baf60c variant and interacting transcription factors to program the developmental opening of cardiomyocyte-specific loci in chromatin. This is the first demonstration that cues from the progenitor cell environment direct the subunit variant composition of SWI/SNF to remodel the transcriptional landscape for lineage-specific differentiation.
Reconstitution of Endoplasmic Reticulum InsP3 Receptors into Black Lipid Membranes
Authors: Bezprozvanny Ilya
Published: November 2013

Intracellular ion channels, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium (Ca2+) channels, are most often studied through their reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers (also called black lipid membranes, or BLMs). General methods for making bilayers and for ion channel reconstitution into BLMs have been extensively detailed elsewhere; thus, here the focus is on specific details relevant for inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) recordings. These procedures describe how to perform single-channel recordings of native or recombinant InsP3Rs in BLMs. Similar procedures are used to study native or recombinant ryanodine receptors (RyanRs) in BLMs.
Calcium Imaging in the Drosophila Olfactory System with a Genetic Indicator
Authors: Root Cory M. , Wong Allan M. , Flores Jorge , Wang Jing W.
Published: November 2013

Insects show sophisticated odor-mediated behaviors controlled by an olfactory system that is genetically and anatomically simpler than that of vertebrates, providing an attractive system to investigate the mechanistic link between behavior and odor perception. Advances in neuroscience have been facilitated by modern optical imaging technologies—both in instrumentation and in probe design—that permit the visualization of functional neural circuits. Imaging calcium activity in genetically defined populations of neurons provides an important tool for investigating the function of neural circuits. This article describes a two-photon imaging system for monitoring neural activity in the Drosophila antennal lobe. Odor-evoked calcium activity is followed by measuring the specific expression of the calcium-sensitive green fluorescent protein G-CaMP in Drosophila antennae–brain preparations.
High-Throughput Methods for Screening Polymeric Transfection Reagents
Authors: Zugates Gregory T. , Anderson Daniel G. , Langer Robert
Published: November 2013

The clinical success of gene therapy requires the development of a safe and efficient delivery system for DNA. Cationic polymers are nonviral vectors that can associate electrostatically with plasmid DNA to form nanocomplexes. In some cases, this is sufficient for cellular uptake and transfection, although the precise mechanisms by which polymers facilitate gene delivery remain unclear. A robust and reliable method to screen for efficacy is essential for the development of effective polycationic transfection reagents. Numerous parameters must be controlled and optimized, such as polymer structure, polymer–DNA-binding conditions (mixing method, pH, ionic strength, incubation time, concentrations, ratios), transfection media (type, serum content), DNA dose and incubation time with the cells, cell specificity, and assay conditions. In this protocol, we describe a high-throughput method for assessing polymer-mediated transfection. The technique uses 96-well plates, which allows many transfection parameters to be varied and optimized in parallel. Hundreds of polymers can be tested in quadruplicate in a single day and the technique can easily be automated to efficiently and reproducibly test large material libraries. One limitation is that many plate types, solutions, and equipment must be stocked and sterilized. Moreover, because all polymers are processed simultaneously in very small volumes, it is difficult to validate each step for each polymer to ensure solution uniformity and adequate polymer–DNA complexation. Despite these drawbacks, this high-throughput screening method has already been used successfully in the development of efficient polycation vectors.
Imaging Intracellular Free Ca2+ Concentration Using Yellow Cameleons
Authors: Miyawaki Atsushi , Nagai Takeharu , Mizuno Hideaki
Published: November 2013

Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based fluorescent indicators for Ca2+ offer significant promise for monitoring Ca2+ in previously unexplored organisms, tissues, and submicroscopic environments because they are genetically encoded, function without cofactors, can be targeted to any intracellular location, and are bright enough for single-cell imaging. These probes use simple GFP variants, circularly permuted GFP (cpGFP), in which the amino and carboxyl portions have been interchanged and reconnected by short spacers between the original termini, or pairs of GFP variants that permit fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Yellow cameleons (YCs) use FRET between cyan- and yellow-emitting variants of Aequorea GFP (cyan fluorescent protein [CFP] and yellow fluorescent protein [YFP], respectively). YCs are composed of a linear combination of CFP, calmodulin (CaM), a glycylglycine linker, the CaM-binding peptide of myosin light-chain kinase (M13), and YFP. Binding of Ca2+ to the CaM moiety of the YC initiates an intramolecular interaction between the CaM and the M13 domains, causing the chimeric protein to shift from an extended conformation to a more compact one, thereby increasing the efficiency of FRET from CFP to YFP. This technique is amenable to emission ratioing, which is more quantitative than single-wavelength monitoring. YC3.60 was engineered to enhance its performance as a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator and here we describe the use of this cameleon to image rapid changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) within HeLa cells. FRET imaging is performed using a laser-scanning confocal microscope.
Tests and characterization of a laterally graded multilayer Montel mirror
Authors: Mundboth K. , Sutter J. , Laundy D. , Collins S. , Stoupin S. , Shvyd'ko Y.
Published: November 2013

Multilayers are becoming an increasingly important tool in X-ray optics. The essential parameters to design a pair of laterally graded multilayer mirrors arranged in a Montel-type configuration for use as an X-ray collimating device are provided. The results of X-ray reflectometry tests carried out on the optics in addition to metrology characterization are also shown. Finally, using experimental data and combined with X-ray tracing simulations it is demonstrated that the mirror meets all stringent specifications as required for a novel ultra-high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering spectrometer at the Advanced Photon Source.
Retardation of fatigue crack growth in aircraft aluminium alloys via laser heating
Authors: Schnubel Dirk , Horstmann Manfred , Huber Norbert
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– While normally the formation of thermally induced residual stresses is seen mainly as detrimental side effect from production processes like welding or casting, the well-directed introduction of thermal residual stresses can also be used as tool to retard fatigue crack growth (FCG). In the presented paper, the use of a defocused laser to modify the residual stress state, and by that to retard the FCG, is examined. The focus lies on the simulation-based optimisation of the heating line position for achieving a maximum fatigue life. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the presented work, the developed prediction methodology for the FCG coupling process simulation and subsequent fracture mechanics analysis is used to identify the optimum positioning of either one or two heating lines on a C(T)100 specimen that leads to a maximised total lifetime. Afterwards, the prediction results are validated experimentally for selected cases.

Findings

– The predictions match the experiments within the experimental scatter indicating the correct identification of the optimum heating line positions. This demonstrates the large potential for reducing the experimental effort needed for design optimisation using the proposed strategy.

Originality/value

– The used methodology of coupling of welding simulation with subsequent fracture mechanics analysis in order to optimise the FCG behaviour of structures is innovative and only very few published studies addressed parts of similar approaches.
Task and relationship orientation of Chinese students and managers in the automotive industry
Authors: G. Mujtaba Bahaudin , Cai Hongmin , Lian Yunshan , Ping Han
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to study the management approach of automotive industry managers and students in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper focused on comparing the leadership orientation of respondents and compared 200 working managers with 181 graduate students in the automotive industry.

Findings

– It appears that these Chinese respondents from the automotive industry have significantly higher scores on the relationship orientation than task orientation. Managers have significantly higher scores on both dimensions of leadership. Similarly, the female respondents in China had similar scores as their male colleagues.

Research limitations/implications

– It appears that being socialized in a collectivistic or high context culture can lead to higher focus on relationship orientation. Based on the results, practical implications and application for future research are explored.

Originality/value

– This paper is original and analyzes the leadership orientation of respondents.
Determinants of safe food handling behaviors among middle school youth
Authors: Quick Virginia , Byrd-Bredbenner Carol , W. Corda Kirsten
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine key determinants (i.e. knowledge, perceived susceptibility, attitudes, confidence, behavioral intentions) associated with practicing health-protective behaviors that could inform development of programs and strategies for improving food handling behaviors of middle school youth.

Design/methodology/approach

– Middle schoolers (n=1,102; 50 percent boys) completed a questionnaire with the following topics: demographics, food safety knowledge, usual food safety behaviors, perceived susceptibility to foodborne illness, attitude toward food safety, confidence (self-efficacy) in practicing safe food handling procedures, and intended safe food handling behaviors.

Findings

– Middle schoolers had insufficient food safety knowledge ( ˜50 percent incorrect responses) even though most reported washing their hands before making a snack and washing fruits and vegetables before eating them. Spearman correlation analyses indicated that food safety knowledge and perceived susceptibility to foodborne illness was weakly correlated (r
s≤0.18) and in some instances not significantly correlated with actual behaviors, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions. Attitudes, behavioral intentions, and self-efficacy were key determinants that were significantly and highly correlated (r
s<0.70) with each other. Additionally, knowing when to wash hands was significantly correlated (r
s≤0.13) with actual handwashing behaviors, and attitudes, behavioral intentions, and self-efficacy whereas knowing how to wash hands was not.

Originality/value

– Food safety interventions for youth should aim to increase knowledge, challenge perceptions of susceptibility to foodborne illness, and motivate adoption of new safe food handling behaviors, while supporting their already positive food safety attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions.
Iodine concentration in drinking water sources of selected villages in Ramtek Tehsil, Nagpur district, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Vikas Jambhulkar Shubhada , Anvar Vali Sabiha
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Iodine content in drinking water is a reflection of the iodine level of rocks and soil of the region. Different water sources have different levels of iodine; this makes variability in concentration of iodine content. The present study was done to estimate the iodine content in drinking water from different water sources of Ramtek villages in Nagpur district identified with sporadic cases of endemic goiter. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The water samples were collected from seven villages from Ramtek taluka, which included well, bore well and tap water. Water was collected in clean and dry glass bottles from each source from the entire villages under study. The analysis of the water samples was done by the method of Karmarkar et al.

Findings

– Iodine content of water samples varied from 17.42 to 43.55 μg/l in tap water, 17.42-21.77 μg/l in well water and 8.7-37.02 μg/l bore well water. The mean iodine content was found to be highest (34.04±11.44 μg/l) in tap water, while bore well water and well water showed 20.46±14.16 μg/l and 19.59±3.07 μg/l, respectively.

Originality/value

– The endemic area has been surveyed by the author – the data generated and analyzed – the findings of which are independently arrived. The study is helpful for students, academicians, independent researchers, and the government policy makers for their further research, policy formulation and implementation.