bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An immersed boundary element method for level‐set based topology optimization
Authors: Yamasaki Shintaro , Yamada Takayuki , Matsumoto Toshiro
Published: September 2012

In this paper, we propose a new BEM for level‐set based topology optimization. In the proposed BEM, the nodal coordinates of the boundary element are replaced with the nodal level‐set function and the nodal coordinates of the Eulerian mesh that maintains the level‐set function. Because this replacement causes the nodal coordinates of the boundary element to disappear, the boundary element mesh appears to be immersed in the Eulerian mesh. Therefore, we call the proposed BEM an immersed BEM. The relationship between the nodal coordinates of the boundary element and the nodal level‐set function of the Eulerian mesh is clearly represented, and therefore, the sensitivities with respect to the nodal level‐set function are strictly derived in the immersed BEM. Furthermore, the immersed BEM completely eliminates grayscale elements that are known to cause numerical difficulties in topology optimization. By using the immersed BEM, we construct a concrete topology optimization method for solving the minimum compliance problem. We provide some numerical examples and discuss the usefulness of the constructed optimization method on the basis of the obtained results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel conjugated polymer/graphene/platinum composite for enhancing electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol
Authors: He Mingping , Zheng Yuying , Du Qifeng
Published: September 2012

A novel conjugated polymer containing electron transport groups with high electron affinity, denoted POXD was synthesized upon polycondensation. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the conjugated polymer/graphene (POXD/RGO) composite film was prepared, which was subsequently used as the support for the electrodeposition of platinum. The microstructure and morphology of the prepared samples were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). The electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of methanol was investigated through cyclic voltammogram method. The POXD/RGO composite film can facilitate the electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticles compared with graphene (RGO) support. The POXD/RGO/Pt composite exhibits more excellent electrocatalytic property for the oxidation of methanol, such as lower oxidation potential and higher current intensity, which might be attributed to the high electron affinity of the polymer and the interaction of the Pt nanoparticles with polymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Production and characterization of UHMWPE/fumed silica nanocomposites
Authors: Ramazani Ahmad , Saremi Maysam Ghahri , Amoli Behnam Neschi , Izadi Hadi
Published: September 2012

Ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/fumed silica nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization using a bi‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalytic system. Nanocomposites with different nanoparticle weight fractions were produced in order to investigate the effect of fumed silica on thermal and mechanical properties of UHMWPE/fumed silica nanocomposites. The viscosity average molecular weight (M) of all samples including pure UHMWPE as the reference sample and nanocomposites were measured. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed the homogenous dispersion of nanoparticles throughout the UHMWPE matrix while no nanoparticle cluster has been formed. Crystallization behavior of nanocomposites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which showed a slight increase in melting temperature by enhancing the nanoparticle concentration while no significant change was observed in the crystallization temperature as the fumed silica concentration enhanced. The improvement in all thermal stability parameters was recorded by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Besides, via tensile testing, it was confirmed that addition of nanoparticles caused considerable improvement in such mechanical properties as Young's modulus, yield stress, and tensile strength of samples while the elongation at break declined by addition of more nanoparticles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers based on flexible rod‐like mesogen directly attached to backbone
Authors: Zheng Jun‐Feng , Yu Zhen‐Qiang , Liu Xin , Chen Xiao‐Fang , Yang Shuang , Chen Er‐Qiang
Published: September 2012

In this article, we report the synthesis and characterization of a new end‐on side‐chain liquid crystalline polymer (SCLCP), poly[4‐(4′‐alkoxyphenyloxymethylene)styrene] [denoted as Poly(n‐POMS), where n is the carbon number of the alkyl tail, n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16], with the flexible rod‐like mesogenic side‐chain directly attached to the polymer backbone without flexible spacer. The polymer was obtained by using free radical polymerization. The chemical structures of Poly(n‐POMS) and the corresponding monomer were characterized using various techniques with satisfactory analysis data. A combination analysis of differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, small angle X‐ray scattering, and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction has been conducted to investigate the phase behavior of Poly(n‐POMS). Poly(2‐POMS), Poly(4‐POMS), and Poly(6‐POMS) are amorphous. Poly(8‐POMS) develops partially into the liquid crystal phase, and Poly(12‐POMS) and Poly(16‐POMS) self‐assembly into the smectic A (SmA) phase. Upon increasing temperature, the phase transition of Poly(16‐POMS) follows the sequence of SmA1 ↔ SmA2 ↔ isotropic (I), which may be attributed to the conformation isomerization of the flexible rod‐like mesogens. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Intrinsic uncertainty on ab initio phase diagram and compound formation energy calculations: BCC Mo–Fe as a test case
Authors: Sodré Ney , Garcia Joelson Cott , Assali Lucy Vitoria Credidio , Gonzales‐Ormeño Pablo Guillermo , Blaha Peter , Petrilli Helena Maria , Schön Cláudio Geraldo
Published: September 2012

Ab initio electronic structure calculations, within the Kohn–Sham scheme of the density functional theory, are often considered reliable and a powerful tool to provide ground state information on intermetallic compounds. More recently, it has been used in multi‐scale intermetallic phase diagram calculations with particular importance when experimental data is lacking. In spite of this recent success, they rely on basic choices of the computational solution of the complicated quantum mechanical problem. Therefore, the calculated phase diagrams may depend on these choices. Here, we concentrate on the influence of some methodological aspects of the ab initio calculations on the resulting phase diagram, for a given statistical mechanics approach. We use the Full Potential‐Linear Augmented Plane Wave and the Projector Augmented Wave Methods to perform electronic structure calculations combined with the cluster variation method in the irregular tetrahedron approximation to calculate the BCC Mo–Fe phase diagram. It is shown that all calculated phase diagrams present similar qualitative features (an asymmetric miscibility gap), but quantitative variations are found depending on some of the basic assumptions adopted for the electronic structure calculations. Based on these results, a “natural” accuracy of the order of ± 1 kJ mol−1 can be estimated for ab initio compound formation energies.
First‐principles and empirical potential simulation study of intrinsic and carbon‐related defects in silicon
Authors: Zirkelbach F. , Stritzker B. , Nordlund K. , Schmidt W. G. , Rauls E. , Lindner J. K. N.
Published: September 2012

Results of atomistic simulations aimed at understanding precipitation of the highly attractive wide band gap semiconductor material silicon carbide in silicon are presented. The study involves a systematic investigation of intrinsic and carbon‐related defects as well as defect combinations and defect migration by both, quantummechanical first‐principles as well as empirical potential methods. Comparing formation and activation energies, ground‐state structures of defects and defect combinations as well as energetically favorable agglomeration of defects are predicted. Moreover, accurate ab initio calculations unveil limitations of the analytical method based on a Tersoff‐like bond order potential. A work‐around is proposed in order to subsequently apply the highly efficient technique on large structures not accessible by first‐principles methods. The outcome of both types of simulation provides a basic microscopic understanding of defect formation and structural evolution particularly at non‐equilibrium conditions strongly deviated from the ground state as commonly found in SiC growth processes. A possible precipitation mechanism, which conforms well to experimental findings and clarifies contradictory views present in the literature is outlined (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Silicon nanostructures in silicon oxynitride for PV application: effect of argon
Authors: Ehrhardt Fabien , Ferblantier Gérald , Ulhaq‐Bouillet Corinne , Muller Dominique , Slaoui Abdelilah
Published: September 2012

Silicon rich silicon oxynitride (SRSON) were deposited by ECR‐PECVD to form silicon nanostructures. The effect of argon flow during the deposition was investigated. The silicon nanoparticles were fabricated by a classical thermal treatment of SRSON films. The structural properties of the SRSON films were investigated by RBS and FTIR measurements. We show that the silicon excess in the SiOxNy matrix changes slightly with Ar flow but it has a significant impact on the silicon nanoparticles morphology embedded in the silicon oxynitride layer. Different shapes for silicon nanostructures ranging from separated Si nanocrystals to Si nanocolumns were formed as studied by energy‐filtred transmission electron microscopy analysis (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Porosity dependence of positive magnetoconductance in n‐type porous silicon
Authors: Chouaibi Bassem , Radaoui Moufid , Benfredj Amel , Romdhane Samir , Bouaïcha Mongi , Bouchriha Habib
Published: September 2012

Positive magnetoconductance (MC) on n‐type porous silicon (PS) based devices was observed at room temperature for low static magnetic field (under 6000 G). We found that the measured MC decreases when the film porosity is increased. Obtained results were analyzed by means of the quasi‐1D weak localization (WL) theory. From the dependence of the MC vs. applied magnetic field, we determine the phase coherence length Lϕ. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental results was found (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modelling of photo‐ and electroluminescence of hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Müller Thomas C. M. , Pieters Bart E. , Kirchartz Thomas , Carius Reinhard , Rau Uwe
Published: September 2012

Photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) have received much attention as characterization techniques for photovoltaic devices. The methods are applied to study e.g. optical band‐gap, defect states, or quasi‐Fermi level splitting. Spatially resolved EL imaging is used to derive local junction voltage differences making it a fast inline characterization method for solar modules. However, the interpretation of EL and PL experiments on hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (µc‐Si:H) solar cells is more complex hampering the direct determination of local voltage differences. In this work we integrated an existing model for PL of µc‐Si:H silicon with a commercial device simulator for thin‐film silicon devices. This way we extended the existing model from a spatially zero dimensional model to a one dimensional model which can also model EL. Furthermore the connection with an electrical device simulator enables the consistent modeling of EL, PL, and the electrical properties of the device. We compared experimental and simulation results for EL, PL and dark‐, and illuminated‐ current/voltage characteristics over a wide temperature range (80 – 300 K). The simulations and experiments are in good agreement in the temperature range from 170 K up to room temperature. In experiments we observed several effects which cannot be explained in the previous zero dimensional model (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A simplified Extended Kalman Filter for the global operational soil moisture analysis at ECMWF
Authors: de Rosnay Patricia , Drusch Matthias , Vasiljevic Drasko , Balsamo Gianpaolo , Albergel Clément , Isaksen Lars
Published: September 2012

A new land surface analysis system based on a simplified point‐wise Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) was implemented at the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts in the global operational Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) in November 2010. This system will allow consistent and optimal analyses of land surface parameters like soil moisture, surface temperatures, snow and vegetation properties. As part of the system implementation, the surface analysis structure has been revised to permit an independent and parallel computation with the upper‐air 4D‐Var analysis. The new analysis system is used for the soil moisture analysis, replacing the previous Optimal Interpolation (OI) scheme. Similar to the OI system, the simplified EKF uses 2 m air temperature and relative humidity observations from the SYNOP (land surface synoptic report) ground‐based networks to analyse soil moisture. This paper describes the new land surface analysis, its application for analysing soil moisture, and initial verification results which supported its operational implementation at ECMWF. The performance is evaluated based on a set of one‐year analysis experiments. The simplified EKF is compared to the OI, on soil moisture, 2 m temperature and relative humidity, showing a consistent improvement on screen‐level parameters and soil moisture forecasts. To demonstrate the potential of the new analysis scheme, soil moisture derived from ASCAT (Advanced Scatterometer) has been assimilated through the simplified EKF.
Anatomical evaluation and stress distribution of intact canine femur
Authors: Verim Ozgur , Tasgetiren Suleyman , Er Mehmet S. , Ozdemir Vural , Yuran Ahmet F.
Published: September 2012

Background

In the biomedical field, three‐dimensional (3D) modeling and analysis of bones and tissues has steadily gained in importance. The aim of this study was to produce more accurate 3D models of the canine femur derived from computed tomography (CT) data by using several modeling software programs and two different methods.

Method

The accuracy of the analysis depends on the modeling process and the right boundary conditions. Solidworks, Rapidform, Inventor, and 3DsMax software programs were used to create 3D models. Data derived from CT were converted into 3D models using two different methods: in the first, 3D models were generated using boundary lines, while in the second, 3D models were generated using point clouds.

Results

Stress analyses in the models were made by ANSYS v12, also considering any muscle forces acting on the canine femur. When stress values and statistical values were taken into consideration, more accurate models were obtained with the point cloud method.

Conclusion

It was found that the maximum von Mises stress on the canine femur shaft was 34.8 MPa. Stress and accuracy values were obtained from the model formed using the Rapidform software. The values obtained were similar to those in other studies in the literature. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of energy gene expressions and community structures of free and attached acidophilic bacteria in chalcopyrite bioleaching
Authors: Zhu Jianyu , Jiao Weifeng , Li Qian , Liu Xueduan , Qin Wenqing , Qiu Guanzhou , Hu Yuehua , Chai Liyuan
Published: September 2012

In order to better understand the bioleaching mechanism, expression of genes involved in energy conservation and community structure of free and attached acidophilic bacteria in chalcopyrite bioleaching were investigated. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we studied the expression of genes involved in energy conservation in free and attached Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans during bioleaching of chalcopyrite. Sulfur oxidation genes of attached A. ferrooxidans were up-regulated while ferrous iron oxidation genes were down-regulated compared with free A. ferrooxidans in the solution. The up-regulation may be induced by elemental sulfur on the mineral surface. This conclusion was supported by the results of HPLC analysis. Sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and ferrous-oxidizing Leptospirillum ferrooxidans were the members of the mixed culture in chalcopyrite bioleaching. Study of the community structure of free and attached bacteria showed that A. thiooxidans dominated the attached bacteria while L. ferrooxidans dominated the free bacteria. With respect to available energy sources during bioleaching of chalcopyrite, sulfur-oxidizers tend to be on the mineral surfaces whereas ferrous iron-oxidizers tend to be suspended in the aqueous phase. Taken together, these results indicate that the main role of attached acidophilic bacteria was to oxidize elemental sulfur and dissolution of chalcopyrite involved chiefly an indirect bioleaching mechanism.
Generating a pronunciation dictionary for European Portuguese using a joint-sequence model with embedded stress assignment
Authors: Veiga Arlindo , Candeias Sara , Perdigão Fernando
Published: September 2012

This paper addresses the problem of grapheme to phoneme conversion to create a pronunciation dictionary from a vocabulary of the most frequent words in European Portuguese. A system based on a mixed approach funded on a stochastic model with embedded rules for stressed vowel assignment is described. The implemented model can generate pronunciations from unrestricted words; however, a dictionary with the 40k most frequent words was constructed and corrected interactively. The dictionary includes homographs with multiplepronunciations. The vocabulary was defined using the CETEMPúblico corpus. The model and dictionary are publicly available.
Semantifying queries over large-scale Web search engines
Authors: Papadakis Ioannis , Stefanidakis Michalis , Stamou Sofia , Andreou Ioannis
Published: September 2012

In many situations, searching the web is synonymous to information seeking. Currently, web search engines are the most popular vehicle via which people get access to the web. Their popularity is partially due to the intrinsic way that people interact with them, i.e., by typing some keywords to the corresponding input box. Despite their popularity, search engines often fail to satisfy certain information needs, especially when the latter are haze and poorly articulated. In this paper, we focus on the occasions when large-scale web search engines find it difficult to cope with specific information-seeking behaviors and we accordingly introduce a query construction service that is targeted towards the solution of this problem. The proposed service leverages information coming from various DBpedia datasets and provides an intuitive GUI via which searchers determine the semantic orientation of their queries before these are addressed to the underlying search engine. The evaluation of the query construction service justifies the motive of this paper and indicates that it can considerably improve the searchers’ querying ability when search engines fail to provide adequate help.
N1‐(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)butane‐1,4‐diamine, a polyamine analogue, attenuated injury in in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral ischemia
Authors: Cen Juan , Liu Lu , He Ling , Liu Man , Wang Chao‐Jie , Ji Bian‐Sheng
Published: September 2012

It has been widely recognized that glutamate (Glu)‐induced cytotoxicity, intracellular calcium overload and excessive free radical production are the key players in the development and progression of ischemic brain injury. Since MK‐801, an antagonist of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor, showed many adverse reactions that hampered its clinical applications, development of safe and effective agent for the treatment of cerebral ischemia is eagerly required. This study was to investigate the effects of N1‐(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)butane‐1,4‐diamine (QMA), a polyamine analogue, on the in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral ischemic damage. The results revealed that pretreatment with QMA could attenuate Glu, putrescine (Put) and oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD)‐induced cell death, lipid peroxidation as well as the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular [Ca2+]i in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and in rat primary cortical neurons. The results also demonstrated that QMA could inhibit NMDA‐mediated intracellular [Ca2+]i accumulation in rat primary cortical neurons and reduce brain infarct volume in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats. The present report suggested that polyamines played a crucial role in the pathological processes of cerebral ischemic damage and that QMA or other novel polyamine analogues could be promising therapeutic candidates for stroke by virtue of their anti‐hypoxia and antioxidation property.
Stabilizing effect of flexibility in the wake of a flapping foil
Authors: Marais C. , Thiria B. , Wesfreid J. E. , Godoy-Diana R.
Published: September 2012

The wake of a flexible foil undergoing pitching oscillations in a low-speed hydrodynamic tunnel is used to examine the effect of chordwise foil flexibility in the dynamical features of flapping-based propulsion. We compare the regime transitions in the wake with respect to the case of a rigid foil and show that foil flexibility inhibits the symmetry breaking of the reverse Bénard–von Kármán wake reported in the literature. A momentum balance calculation shows the average thrust to be up to three times greater for the flexible foil than for the rigid foil. We explain both of these observations by analysing the vortex dynamics in the very near wake.
Introduction: Behind the Brand
Authors: da Silva Lopes Teresa , Duguid Paul
Published: September 2012

Once described as “neglected,” brands and brand history have benefited from a recent surge of work in business history, economics, and management studies. This research, however, remains relatively tightly focused. Most attention is given to successful, long-lived brands and to the entrepreneurs who developed them. As in the market, so in research, the attraction of successful brands is understandable. Nevertheless, such a focus only reinforces both the well-known tendency to read history through the eyes of the winners and the assumption that losers and also-rans have nothing to tell us. The authors of the articles in this special section share both the wish to look beyond such assumptions and the belief that one way to do so is by complementing the study of brands with the study of trademarks and of the related legal, economic, and business arrangements that stand behind brands and provide context for their development since the nineteenth century.
Catalonian Trademarks and the Development of Marketing Knowledge in Spain, 1850–1946
Authors: Sáiz Patricio , Pérez Paloma Fernández
Published: September 2012

Trademarks have traditionally been viewed as assets that, although intangible, nevertheless contribute to the success of firms. This study, based on a compilation of national trademark data, corrects existing distortions of the historical role of brands and their—often unsuccessful—use as business tools by countries, sectors, or firms. Legislation on, and the profuse use of, trademarks in the Western world was pioneered by Spain, rather than by France, the United States, or the United Kingdom, and was initiated in unusual sectors, such as papermaking and textiles, rather than in the more usual ones of food and beverages. Analysis of the applicants of Catalan trademarks, across sectors, during almost a century, reveals that the legal possession of a brand cannot in itself guarantee a firm's success.
Allelic variations in coding regions of the vitamin D receptor gene in dairy cows and potential susceptibility to periparturient hypocalcaemia
Authors: Deiner Carolin , Reiche Maria , Lassner Dirk , Grienitz Desirée , Twardziok Sven , Moesch Anne , Wenning Peter , Martens Holger
Published: September 2012

Periparturient hypocalcaemia (milk fever) is a disorder of Ca metabolism in dairy cattle primarily affecting multiparous cows. The major reasons for the rapid decrease of blood Ca concentration after calving are the prompt increase of Ca secretion into the colostrum and the delayed activation of Ca regulation mechanisms including calcitriol, a metabolite of vitamin D. In man, vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms are reported to be associated with disturbances of Ca metabolism, whereas data confirming the same in dairy cows are still missing. Moreover, polymorphisms that only affect non-coding regions are sometimes difficult to ascribe to a specific disorder as pathways and unequivocal links remain elusive. Therefore, the idea of the present study was to investigate in a small group of dairy cows with documented clinical records whether polymorphisms in the coding regions of the VDR gene existed and whether these potentially found variations were correlated with the incidence of periparturient hypocalcaemia. For this purpose, blood DNA was isolated from 26 dairy cows in their 4th to 6th lactation, out of which 17 had experienced hypocalcaemia at least once, whereas 9 cows had never undergone periparturient hypocalcaemia in their lifetime. The 10 VDR exons and small parts of adjacent introns were sequenced and compared with the Bos taurus VDR sequence published on NCBI based on the DNA of one Hereford cow. In total, 8 sequence alterations were detected in the fragments, which were primarily heterozygous. However, only 4 of them were really located on exons thereby potentially causing changes of the encoded amino acid of the VDR protein, but were not correlated with the incidence of periparturient hypocalcaemia. Certainly, this lack of statistical correlation could be due to the small number of animals included; anyhow, it was not encouraging enough to initiate a larger study with hundreds of cows and document blood Ca levels post partum for at least four lactations.
A critical evaluation of diagnostic methods used to identify dairy cows with acute post-partum metritis in the current literature
Authors: Sannmann Ines , Arlt Sebastian , Heuwieser Wolfgang
Published: September 2012

The overall objective of this study was to investigate how relevant research publications address the validity of diagnostic methods for acute puerperal metritis (APM) in dairy cows, a disease commonly treated with antibiotic drugs. Therefore, a literature search was conducted in Journal of Dairy Science, Theriogenology, Animal Reproduction Science and The Veterinary Journal utilizing the ScienceDirect database. The search revealed 259 articles addressing APM. After applying exclusion criteria, a total of 48 trials remained. It was determined whether the author gave a clear definition of APM, the time of diagnosis relative to calving, and the person who performed the diagnosis. Studies were checked for the presence of definitions of possible findings, thresholds, and test characteristics of the methods used. Overall 9 different diagnostic methods were employed. On average 2·5 ± 1·75 diagnostic methods were used in a study. References to support the use of the diagnostic methods were provided in 10 of 48 articles (20·8%). Vaginal discharge, transrectal palpation and rectal temperature were examined in 39, 22, and 21 of the studies, respectively. Thresholds for diagnostic tests and test characteristics were mentioned in 6 and 3 of the 48 articles, respectively. Based on this systematic review of 48 research papers the evidence supporting the use of the diagnostic methods to identify cows with APM has either been not reported or is weak. In conclusion, the reporting of the diagnostic methods to identify cows with APM needs to be improved and further high-quality research is necessary to improve diagnostic performance of the methods employed.
Cross-over study of topical anaesthesia with tetracaine solution for transoral rigid laryngoscopy
Authors: Zhu Z-H , Zheng J , Ying L-Y , Zhu B-W , Qian J , Ma Z-X
Published: September 2012

Background:

Transoral rigid laryngoscopy with videostroboscopy is the most practical method to visualise the vocal folds. The optimal topical anaesthesia regimen for transoral rigid laryngoscopy has not yet been established.

Objective:

To compare patient comfort and compliance with various topical anaesthetics for transoral rigid laryngoscopy.

Methods:

Each of 10 patients received a random topical administration of either 2 per cent lidocaine gel, 1 per cent tetracaine gel or 1 per cent tetracaine solution, 10 minutes before undergoing rigid laryngoscopy with videostroboscopy. During follow-up laryngoscopies, the agent with the lowest mean visual analogue scale score for discomfort was then used to study the timing of topical anaesthetic application: the agent was given to the patient 5, 10 or 15 minutes before laryngoscopy (with the timing randomly selected).

Results:

Compared with lidocaine gel or tetracaine gel, laryngoscopy with topical tetracaine solution was more comfortable. There was a statistically significant difference in discomfort score between the 5 and 10 minute application groups, but not between the 10 and 15 minute groups.

Conclusion:

Tetracaine solution, applied topically 10 minutes before transoral rigid laryngoscopy, significantly decreases patient discomfort.
‘The City Is Ours’: The Temporal Construction of Dominance among Poor Young Men on the Street in a Brazilian Elite Neighbourhood
Authors: URSIN MARIT
Published: September 2012

This article explores how young Brazilian men from poorer areas transcend socio-geographical boundaries by inhabiting the streets of an elite neighbourhood. Drawing on several periods of qualitative fieldwork, the article demonstrates the complex and dynamic character of the relationship between the young men and the formal residents and traders. It reveals temporal patterns of day and night, where the young men's social positions shift from subordinate diurnal (as serving workers) to dominant nocturnal positions (as potential attackers). Analysing the interactional patterns between the two groups regarding sentiments of trust and fear, the multifaceted and sometimes incoherent relations reveal social inclusion and exclusion as well as street protection and crime. The article also dismantles some common dichotomies within research on crime and fear of crime, emphasising that these young men are both victims and offenders, fearful and fearsome.
Building with the Corinthians: Human Persons as the Building Materials of 1 Corinthians 3.12 and the ‘Work’ of 3.13-15
Authors: Kirk Alexander N.
Published: September 2012

The consensus interpretation of 1 Corinthians 3.12–15 assumes that the building materials of 3.12 and the ‘work’ of 3.13–15 refer to the activity of the builders, usually understood as their preaching, teaching, or evangelism. This interpretation, however, leads to severe theological problems in 3.15. An alternative reading, suggested by Adolf Schlatter but largely ignored since, views the building materials and ‘work’ as human persons. This article bolsters Schlatter's reading with contextual, linguistic, theological, and patristic support. Four potential objections to this reading are then met.
Japan's post-war Ainu policy. Why the Japanese Government has not recognised Ainu indigenous rights?
Authors: Maruyama Hiroshi
Published: September 2012

In 1946, the Ainu Association of Hokkaido was established by the Ainu to reclaim their lands. The 1970s and 80s saw that the association successfully put pressure on the Hokkaido Prefectural Government to take social welfare measures for the improvement of their life and make a new law counter to the Hokkaido Former Aborigines Protection Act. In 1997 the Japanese Government enacted the so-called New Ainu Law. However, it is totally different from the original draft made by the Ainu. The law does not designate the Ainu as indigenous people. Further, it is outstripped by the decision of Nibutani Dam Case that, for the first time in Japanese history, recognised Ainu right to culture and indigenousness in Japanese territory. In 2008 the Japanese Government finally recognised the Ainu as indigenous people in the wake of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, the Ainu do not yet have any indigenous rights. This note chronologically outlines Japan's post-war Ainu policy, and moreover explores who and what has influenced Ainu policy and the law.
EUROPEAN DRUG REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEMS' LEGITIMACY: FIVE-COUNTRY COMPARISON AND POLICY TOOL
Authors: Cleemput Irina , Franken Margreet , Koopmanschap Marc , le Polain Maïté
Published: September 2012

Objectives. In a democratic system, decision makers are accountable for the reasonableness of their decisions. This presumes (i) transparency, (ii) relevance of the decision criteria, (iii) revisability of decisions, and (iv) enforcement/regulation. We aim to (i) evaluate the extent to which drug reimbursement decision-making processes in different contexts meet these conditions and (ii) develop, starting from these findings, a framework for improving the transparency and the relevance of used decision criteria.

Methods. We evaluated the Austrian, Belgian, French, Dutch, and Swedish drug reimbursement systems. Based on this evaluation, we developed a framework for improving the transparency of drug reimbursement decision-making processes. It makes explicit the questions often addressed implicitly during decision-making processes as well as criteria for answering each question.

Results. Transparency of appraisal processes varies across systems. Justification with explicit criteria is generally limited. Although relevant criteria are similar across systems, their operationalization varies and their role in the appraisal process is not always clear. All systems seem to implicitly address five key questions, relating to (i) the medical, therapeutic, and societal need for treatment; (ii) preparedness to pay for treating the condition as a principle and (iii) for using the treatment under consideration; (iv) preparedness to pay more compared with alternatives; and (v) actual willingness to pay from public resources.

Conclusions. Transparency of the appraisal process can be improved by using an explicit decision framework. Systematic use of such a framework enhances consistency across decisions, allows justification of value judgments, and thus enhances legitimacy of societal decision making.
Variabilité aspectuelle et influence analogique dans le choix de l'auxiliaire avec les verbes intransitifs de changement d'état monter et descendre
Authors: MANENTE MARA
Published: September 2012

Cet article défend l'hypothèse qu'il existe une corrélation entre l'occurrence d'avoiravec les verbes scalaires de changement d'étatmonteretdescendreet la possibilité de remplacer ces verbes avec leurs analoguesaugmenteretbaisserdans leurs emplois intransitifs. Autrement dit, l'occurrence d'avoiravec ces verbes est analysée comme le résultat d'un effet d'analogie. En outre, l'analyse des corrélations entre la variation dans le choix de l'auxiliaire et l'information aspectuelle donnée par le contexte montre qu'avec ces verbes il n'est pas possible d'établir des inacceptabilités aspectuelles tranchées selon le type d'auxiliaire sélectionné car aussi bien l'auxiliaireêtreque l'auxiliaireavoirsont compatibles avec les deux lectures télique et atélique.
Zum Schweregrad der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung im militärischen Kontext
Authors: Jenuwein Meta , Zimmermann Peter , Ungerer Jörn , Fuchs Svenja , Beudt Susan , Jacobsen Thomas , Alliger-Horn Christina , Gerber Wolf Dieter , Niederberger Uwe , Petermann Franz , Kowalski Jens T.
Published: September 2012

Zusammenfassung: Die Krankheitsausprägung berufsbedingter posttraumatischer Belastungsstörungen (PTBS) hängt im zivilen wie auch im militärischen Kontext von vielfältigen Einflussfaktoren ab. 74 Soldaten mit PTBS, die sich in der Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Bundeswehrkrankenhauses Berlin ambulant oder stationär vorstellten, wurden im Hinblick auf Zusammenhänge zwischen Gesamtschwere der PTBS zu Therapiebeginn sowie der Symptomcluster Übererregung, Vermeidungsverhalten und intrusiver Symptomatik und psychosozialen und militärspezifischen Merkmalen untersucht. Soldaten mit einsatzbedingter PTBS litten signifikant stärker unter Übererregbarkeit als Soldaten mit nicht-einsatzbedingter PTBS. Bei Soldaten in Führungsfunktionen (Stabsoffizieren) waren Intrusionen signifikant schwächer ausgeprägt als bei anderen Dienstgradgruppen. Bei Soldaten mit verzögertem Beginn der PTBS waren Gesamtschwere und Intrusionssymptomatik schwächer ausgeprägt. Diese Studie gibt erste Hinweise auf Faktoren, die eine spezifische Symptomausgestaltung der PTBS bei Soldaten beeinflussen und die in der Gestaltung therapeutischer Konzeptionen Berücksichtigung finden sollten.
Predictability of biomass burning in response to climate changes
Authors: Daniau A.‐L. , Bartlein P. J. , Harrison S. P. , Prentice I. C. , Brewer S. , Friedlingstein P. , Harrison‐Prentice T. I. , Inoue J. , Izumi K. , Marlon J. R. , Mooney S. , Power M. J. , Stevenson J. , Tinner W. , Andrič M. , Atanassova J. , Behling H. , Black M. , Blarquez O. , Brown K. J. , Carcaillet C. , Colhoun E. A. , Colombaroli D. , Davis B. A. S. , D'Costa D. , Dodson J. , Dupont L. , Eshetu Z. , Gavin D. G. , Genries A. , Haberle S. , Hallett D. J. , Hope G. , Horn S. P. , Kassa T. G. , Katamura F. , Kennedy L. M. , Kershaw P. , Krivonogov S. , Long C. , Magri D. , Marinova E. , McKenzie G. M. , Moreno P. I. , Moss P. , Neumann F. H. , Norström E. , Paitre C. , Rius D. , Roberts N. , Robinson G. S. , Sasaki N. , Scott L. , Takahara H. , Terwilliger V. , Thevenon F. , Turner R. , Valsecchi V. G. , Vannière B. , Walsh M. , Williams N. , Zhang Y.
Published: September 2012

Climate is an important control on biomass burning, but the sensitivity of fire to changes in temperature and moisture balance has not been quantified. We analyze sedimentary charcoal records to show that the changes in fire regime over the past 21,000 yrs are predictable from changes in regional climates. Analyses of paleo‐ fire data show that fire increases monotonically with changes in temperature and peaks at intermediate moisture levels, and that temperature is quantitatively the most important driver of changes in biomass burning over the past 21,000 yrs. Given that a similar relationship between climate drivers and fire emerges from analyses of the interannual variability in biomass burning shown by remote‐sensing observations of month‐by‐month burnt area between 1996 and 2008, our results signal a serious cause for concern in the face of continuing global warming.
Convective quasi‐equilibrium
Authors: Yano J.‐I. , Plant R. S.
Published: September 2012

The concept of convective quasi‐equilibrium (CQE) is a key ingredient in order to understand the role of deep moist convection in the atmosphere. It has been used as a guiding principle to develop almost all convective parameterizations and provides a basic theoretical framework for large‐scale tropical dynamics. The CQE concept as originally proposed by Arakawa and Schubert (1974) is systematically reviewed from wider perspectives. Various interpretations and extensions of Arakawa and Schubert's CQE are considered both in terms of a thermodynamic analogy and as a dynamical balance. The thermodynamic interpretations can be more emphatically embraced as a homeostasis. The dynamic balance interpretations can be best understood by analogy with the slow manifold. Various criticisms of CQE can be avoided by taking the dynamic balance interpretation. Possible limits of CQE are also discussed, including the importance of triggering in many convective situations, as well as the possible self‐organized criticality of tropical convection. However, the most intriguing aspect of the CQE concept is that in spite of many observational tests supporting and interpreting it in many different senses, it has never been established in a robust manner based on a systematic analysis of the cloud work function budget by observations as was originally defined.
Communicating uncertainties in natural hazard forecasts
Authors: Stein Seth , Geller Robert J.
Published: September 2012

Natural hazards research seeks to help society develop strategies that appropriately balance risks and mitigation costs in addressing potential imminent threats and possible longer‐term hazards. However, because scientists have only limited knowledge of the future, they must also communicate the uncertainties in what they know about the hazards. How to do so has been the subject of extensive recent discussion [Sarewitz et al., 2000; Oreskes, 2000; Pilkey and Pilkey‐Jarvis, 2006]. One approach is General Colin Powell's charge to intelligence officers [Powell, 2012]: “Tell me what you know. Tell me what you don't know. Then tell me what you think. Always distinguish which is which.” In dealing with natural hazards, the last point can be modified to “which is which and why.” To illustrate this approach, it is helpful to consider some successful and unsuccessful examples [Stein, 2010; Stein et al., 2012].
The character of seafloor ambient noise recorded offshore New Zealand: Results from the MOANA ocean bottom seismic experiment
Authors: Yang Zhaohui , Sheehan Anne F. , Collins John A. , Laske Gabi
Published: September 2012

We analyze the characteristics of ambient noise recorded on ocean‐bottom seismographs using data from the 2009–2010 MOANA (Marine Observations of Anisotropy Near Aotearoa) seismic experiment deployed west and east of South Island, New Zealand. Microseism and infragravity noise peaks are clear on data recorded on the vertical channel of the seismometer and on the pressure sensor. The noise levels in the infragravity band (<0.03 Hz) on the horizontal seismometer channels are too high to show the infragravity peak. There is a small difference (∼0.25 Hz versus ∼0.2 Hz) in microseism peak frequencies between the two sides of the South Island on all three seismic channels. Our results show clear depth dependence between the peak frequency of infragravity waves and the water depth. We find that the product of water depth and wave number at the peak frequency is a constant,koH = 1.5. This relationship can be used to determine the variation of phase and group velocity of infragravity waves with water depth, and the location of the infragravity peak and corresponding noise notch at any water depth. These estimates of spectral characteristics, particularly low noise bands, are useful for future OBS deployments.
Interdependence of climate, soil, and vegetation as constrained by the Budyko curve
Authors: Gentine Pierre , D'Odorico Paolo , Lintner Benjamin R. , Sivandran Gajan , Salvucci Guido
Published: September 2012

The Budyko curve is an empirical relation among evapotranspiration, potential evapotranspiration and precipitation observed across a variety of landscapes and biomes around the world. Using data from more than three hundred catchments and a simple water balance model, the Budyko curve is inverted to explore the ecohydrological controls of the soil water balance. Comparing the results across catchments reveals that aboveground transpiration efficiency and belowground rooting structure have adapted to the dryness index and the phase lag between peak seasonal radiation and precipitation. The vertical and/or lateral extent of the rooting zone exhibits a maximum in semi‐arid catchments or when peak radiation and precipitation are out of phase. This demonstrates plant strategies in Mediterranean climates in order to cope with water stress: the deeper rooting structure buffers the phase difference between precipitation and radiation. Results from this study can be used to constrain land‐surface parameterizations in ungauged basins or general circulation models.
The global thermospheric and ionospheric response to the 2008 minor sudden stratospheric warming event
Authors: Korenkov Y. N. , Klimenko V. V. , Klimenko M. V. , Bessarab F. S. , Korenkova N. A. , Ratovsky K. G. , Chernigovskaya M. A. , Shcherbakov A. A. , Sahai Y. , Fagundes P. R. , de Jesus R. , de Abreu A. J. , Condor P.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a study of thermospheric and ionospheric response to the 2008 minor sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event. This period was characterized by low solar and geomagnetic activity. The study was performed using the Global Self‐consistent Model of Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Protonosphere (GSM TIP). Model results were compared with ionosonde data from Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Sao Jose dos Campos, and Jicamarca. The SSW event was modeled by specifying the temperature and density perturbations at the lower boundary of the GSM TIP (80 km altitude). GSM TIP simulation allowed the reproduction of the lower thermosphere temperature disturbances (the occurrence of the quasi‐wave 1 structure at 80–130 km altitude with a vertical scale of ∼40 km), the negative response of F2 region electron density and the positive response of electron temperature at 300 km during the 2008 minor SSW event. The main formation mechanism of the global ionospheric response is due to the disturbances (decrease) in then(O)/n(N2) ratio. The change in zonal electric field is another important mechanism of the ionospheric response at low latitudes.
THEMIS observations of electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave occurrence: Dependence on AE, SYMH, and solar wind dynamic pressure
Authors: Usanova M. E. , Mann I. R. , Bortnik J. , Shao L. , Angelopoulos V.
Published: September 2012

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are transverse plasma waves generated by anisotropic proton distributions with Tperp > Tpara. They are believed to play an important role in the dynamics of the ring current and potentially, of the radiation belts. Therefore it is important to know their localization in the magnetosphere and the magnetospheric and solar wind conditions which lead to their generation. Our earlier observations from three Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) probes demonstrated that strong magnetospheric compressions associated with high solar wind dynamic pressure (Pdyn) may drive EMIC waves in the inner dayside magnetosphere, just inside the plasmapause. Previously, magnetospheric compressions were found to generate EMIC waves mainly close to the magnetopause. In this work we use an automated detection algorithm of EMIC Pc1 waves observed by THEMIS between May 2007 to December 2011 and present the occurrence rate of those waves as a function of L‐shell, magnetic local time (MLT), Pdyn, AE, and SYMH. Consistent with earlier studies we find that the dayside (sunward of the terminator) outer magnetosphere is a preferential location for EMIC activity, with the occurrence rate in this region being strongly controlled by solar wind dynamic pressure. High EMIC occurrence, preferentially at 12–15 MLT, is also associated with high AE. Our analysis of 26 magnetic storms with Dst < −50 nT showed that the storm‐time EMIC occurrence rate in the inner magnetosphere remains low (<10%). This brings into question the importance of EMIC waves in influencing energetic particle dynamics in the inner magnetosphere during disturbed geomagnetic conditions.