bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equity in health care: the Irish perspective
Authors: Smith Samantha , Normand Charles
Published: September 2010

Equity is espoused in many national health policy statements but is a complex concept and is difficult to define. The way in which equity is defined in policy has implications for how the health-care system should be structured. Conflicts between different definitions of equity are identified in theory and policy. This paper discusses these issues, with specific focus on the equity principles underpinning the Irish health-care system. The complex mix of public and private funding in the Irish system brings the challenges in identifying (and achieving) equity objectives more sharply into view, and serves as a warning system for other countries.
Classical Conditioning in Borderline Personality Disorder With and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder *The first two authors contributed equally to this work.
Authors: Mauchnik Jana , Ebner-Priemer Ulrich W. , Bohus Martin , Schmahl Christian
Published: September 2010

Conditioning studies in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) revealed intact acquisition and within-session extinction for patients with low acute dissociation and impaired acquisition for patients with high acute dissociation. In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) delayed short-term extinction as well as reduced discrimination learning was found. Controlling for acute dissociation, with a subgroup analysis of BPD patients with and without comorbid PTSD we aimed to further understand the influence of both disorders on altered conditioning processes. Aversive differential conditioning was assessed in 33 non-medicated female patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for BPD (15 with and 18 without co-occurring PTSD). An aversive sound served as unconditioned stimulus (US), and two neutral pictures as conditioned stimuli (CS+, CS−). Conditioning was assessed by skin conductance responses (SCRs) and ratings of valence and arousal. BPD patients without PTSD revealed a significant differentiation between CS+ and CS− during acquisition, early and late extinction in SCR. BPD patients with PTSD did not show differential responses during any of these phases. BPD patients without PTSD showed differential responses during acquisition, early and late extinction. This underpins intact learning regarding acquisition processes, but points to impaired within-session extinction. BPD patients with PTSD had difficulties in the acquisition of the differentiation between the danger and the safety signal, possibly indicating a discrimination problem.
Dissociation Following Traumatic Stress
Authors: Schauer Maggie , Elbert Thomas
Published: September 2010

We postulate that the cascade “Freeze-Flight-Fight-Fright-Flag-Faint” is a coherent sequence of six fear responses that escalate as a function of defense possibilities and proximity to danger during life-threat. The actual sequence of trauma-related response dispositions acted out in an extremely dangerous situation therefore depends on the appraisal of the threat by the organism in relation to her/his own power to act (e.g., age and gender) as well as the perceived characteristics of threat and perpetrator. These reaction patterns provide optimal adaption for particular stages of imminence. Subsequent to the traumatic threats, portions of the experience may be replayed. The actual individual cascade of defense stages a survivor has gone through during the traumatic event will repeat itself every time the fear network, which has evolved peritraumatically, is activated again (i.e., through internal or external triggers or, e.g., during exposure therapy).When a parasympathetically dominated ‘‘shut-down’’ was the prominent peri-traumatic response during the traumatic incident, comparable dissociative responses may dominate responding to subsequently experienced threat and may also reappear when the traumatic memory is reactivated. Repeated experience of traumatic stress forms a fear network that can become pathologically detached from contextual cues such as time and location of the danger, a condition which manifests itself as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intrusions, for example, can therefore be understood as repetitive displays of fragments of the event, which would then, depending on the dominant physiological response during the threat, elicit a corresponding combination of hyperarousal and dissociation. We suggest that trauma treatment must therefore differentiate between patients on two dimensions: those with peritraumatic sympathetic activation versus those who went down the whole defense cascade, which leads to parasympathetic dominance during the trauma and a corresponding replay of physiological and dissociative responding, when reminded. The differential management of dissociative stages (“fright” and “faint”) has important treatment implications.
Learning and Consolidation of Verbal Declarative Memory in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Diener Slawomira J. , Flor Herta , Wessa Michèle
Published: September 2010

Impairments in declarative memory have been reported in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fragmentation of explicit trauma-related memory has been assumed to impede the formation of a coherent memorization of the traumatic event and the integration into autobiographic memory. Together with a strong non-declarative memory that connects trauma reminders with a fear response the impairment in declarative memory is thought to be involved in the maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Fourteen PTSD patients, 14 traumatized subjects without PTSD, and 13 non-traumatized healthy controls (HC) were tested with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to assess verbal declarative memory. PTSD symptoms were assessed with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale and depression with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Several indices of the CVLT pointed to an impairment in declarative memory performance in PTSD, but not in traumatized persons without PTSD or HC. No group differences were observed if recall of memory after a time delay was set in relation to initial learning performance. In the PTSD group verbal memory performance correlated significantly with hyperarousal symptoms, after concentration difficulties were accounted for. The present study confirmed previous reports of declarative verbal memory deficits in PTSD. Extending previous results, we propose that learning rather than memory consolidation is impaired in PTSD patients. Furthermore, arousal symptoms may interfere with successful memory formation in PTSD.
Initial Validity Evidence for the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 Among Greek Exercise Participants
Authors: Moustaka Frederiki C. , Vlachopoulos Symeon P. , Vazou Spyridoula , Kaperoni Maria , Markland David A.
Published: September 2010

The present study investigated the factor structure, scale dimensionality, discriminant validity, internal consistency, simplex structure, and nomological validity of the Greek translation of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2; Markland & Tobin, 2004 ). A total of 733 Greek exercise participants completed the translated scale to indicate their reasons for participation in structured exercise programs. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the a priori 5-factor structure with strong internal consistency for the instrument subscales. Further support was obtained for the simplex pattern as well as the nomological correlations of the translated BREQ-2 responses with self-determination theory variables. Overall, the results provided initial support for the psychometric value of the Greek translation of the BREQ-2, rendering it appropriate for continued self-determination exercise research among Greek-speaking exercise participants.
Testing Reasoning Ability with Handheld Computers, Notebooks, and Paper and Pencil
Authors: Schroeders Ulrich , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: September 2010

Electronic devices can be used to enhance or improve cognitive ability testing. We compared three reasoning-ability measures delivered on handheld computers, notebooks, and paper-and-pencil to test whether or not the same underlying abilities were measured irrespective of the test medium. Rational item-generative principles were used to generate parallel item samples for a verbal, a numerical, and a figural reasoning test, respectively. All participants, 157 high school students, completed the three measures on each test medium. Competing measurement models were tested with confirmatory factor analyses. Results show that 2 test-medium factors for tests administrated via notebooks and handheld computers, respectively, had small to negligible loadings, and that the correlation between these factors was not substantial. Overall, test medium was not a critical source of individual differences. Perceptual and motor skills are discussed as potential causes for test-medium factors.
On the Risk of Certain Psychotechnological Response Options in Multiple-Choice Tests
Authors: Kubinger Klaus D. , Wolfsbauer Christine
Published: September 2010

Test authors may think about adding the response options “I don’t know the solution” and “none of the other options is correct” in order to reduce a high guessing probability for multiple-choice items. However, in this paper it was expected that different types of personality would use these response options differently, as a consequence of which they would do more or less guessing and, therefore, achieve higher or lower test scores, on average. An experiment was performed based on randomizing participants into two groups, one of them being warned that it is better to admit being unable to solve the item, and the participants were classified according to their personality scores into high-, medium-, and low-scoring. Multivariate analyses of variance (195 pupils between 14 and 19 years) disclosed that only Openness to Experience showed any (moderate) effect, and even this only for a single subtest (Cattell’s culture fair test).
Midnight latitude‐altitude distribution of 630 nm airglow in the Asian sector measured with FORMOSAT‐2/ISUAL
Authors: Adachi Toru , Yamaoka Masashi , Yamamoto Mamoru , Otsuka Yuichi , Liu Huixin , Hsiao Chun‐Chieh , Chen Alfred B. , Hsu Rue‐Ron
Published: September 2010

The Imager for Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) payload on board the FORMOSAT‐2 satellite carried out the first limb imaging observation of 630 nm airglow for the purpose of studying physical processes in the F region ionosphere. For a total of 14 nights in 2006–2008, ISUAL scanned the midnight latitude‐altitude distribution of 630 nm airglow in the Asian sector. On two nights of relatively active conditions (ΣKp = 26, 30+) we found several bright airglow regions, which were highly variable each night in terms of luminosity and location. In relatively quiet conditions (ΣKp = 4–20) near May/June we found two bright regions which were stably located in the midlatitude region of 40°S–10°S (50°S–20°S magnetic latitude (MLAT)) and in the equatorial region of 0°–10°N (10°S–0° MLAT). On one of the quiet nights, FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC and CHAMP simultaneously measured the plasma density in the same region where ISUAL observed airglow. The plasma density data generally show good agreement, suggesting that plasma enhancements were the primary source of these two bright airglow regions. From detailed comparison with past studies we explain that the airglow in the equatorial region was due to the midnight brightness wave produced in association with the midnight temperature maximum, while that in the midlatitude region was due to the typical plasma distribution usually formed in the midnight sector. The fact that the equatorial airglow was much brighter than the midlatitude airglow and was observed on most nights during the campaign period strongly suggests the importance of further studies on the MTM/MBW phenomenology, which is not well reproduced in the current general circulation model.
Fracture healing in a magma: An experimental approach and implications for volcanic seismicity and degassing
Authors: Yoshimura Shumpei , Nakamura Michihiko
Published: September 2010

The healing of magmatic fractures is considered essential to repetitive seismicity and the closure of degassing paths during emplacement of lavas. To estimate the healing time of magmatic fractures, we performed healing experiments on rhyolitic melts at 850°–1000°C and 1.6–3.2 MPa for 0.5–94 h. Two cylindrical obsidian cores were juxtaposed on surfaces prepared by cutting the cores both with and without polishing. These were annealed in an open‐system cell. The contact interface became coherent and finally disappeared. The water content across the contact initially decreased toward the interface via diffusive dehydration, but later homogenized. This change was interpreted to reflect atomic‐scale closure of the interface, probably by chemical bonding. We defined this closure interval as microscopic healing time and determined this by fitting the measured profiles with a diffusion model. The microscopic healing time was strongly dependent on temperature and roughness of the interface and was, for the nonpolished interfaces, 67–74, 4.0–4.9, and 0.36–0.38 h at 850°, 900°, and 950°C, respectively, whereas for the polished examples it was 1–3 and 0.5–0.6 h at 850° and 900°C, respectively. This microscopic healing time is consistent with the period of actual seismicity and is prolonged sufficiently to permit the formation of millimeter‐thick bubble‐free obsidian layers along fractures in vesicular lavas through bubble resorption due to diffusive degassing.
The role of the critical angle in brightness reversals on sunglint images of the sea surface
Authors: Jackson Christopher. R. , Alpers Werner
Published: September 2010

A wide variety of oceanic and atmospheric phenomena are often observed in and around the sunglint region on optical images of the sea surface. The appearance of these phenomena depends strongly on the viewing geometry with areas on the sea surface that are rougher (or smoother) than the background appearing as either brighter or darker than the background depending on their position relative to the specular point. To understand these sea surface signature variations, this paper introduces the concept of a critical sensor viewing angle, defined as the sensor zenith angle at which different sea surface roughness variances produce identical sunglint radiance. It is when the imaging geometry transitions through the critical angle that a surface feature goes through a brightness reversal. Knowledge of where this transition takes place is important for properly interpreting the characteristics of the sea surface signature of these phenomena. The theory behind the concept of the critical angle is presented and then applied to sunglint imagery acquired over the ocean from space by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer onboard NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites.
Strong air pollution causes widespread haze‐clouds over China
Authors: Ma Jianzhong , Chen Yue , Wang Wei , Yan Peng , Liu Hongjie , Yang Suying , Hu Zhijin , Lelieveld Jos
Published: September 2010

North China (Huabei in Chinese) is a geographical region located between 32°N and 42°N latitude in eastern China, including several provinces and large municipalities (e.g., Beijing and Tianjin). In the past decades the region has experienced dramatic changes in air quality and climate. Among the multiple causes aerosol pollution is expected to play a particularly important role. To investigate this, a field measurement campaign was performed in April–May 2006 as part of the project Influence of Pollution on Aerosols and Cloud Microphysics in North China. Here we report the first aircraft measurements of atmospheric trace gases, aerosols, and clouds over this part of China, a region strongly affected by both natural desert dust and pollution smog. We observed very high concentrations of gaseous air pollutants and haze particles, partly together with nonprecipitating stratiform clouds. The clouds were characterized by numerous droplets, much smaller than in a less‐polluted atmosphere. Our data reveal that the highly efficient coating of dust particles by pollution acids provides the predominant source of cloud condensation nuclei. The pollution‐enhanced activation of dust particles into droplets is shown to be remarkably efficient so that clouds even form below 100% relative humidity. Contrary to previous analyses, we find that the haze particles influence the spectral shape of the cloud droplet size distribution such that the indirect climate cooling effect of aerosols on clouds is increased. The widespread haze, combined with low clouds, diminishes air quality and exerts an unusually strong cooling forcing on climate.
Climate and climate variability of the wind power resources in the Great Lakes region of the United States
Authors: Li X. , Zhong S. , Bian X. , Heilman W. E.
Published: September 2010

The climate and climate variability of low‐level winds over the Great Lakes region of the United States is examined using 30 year (1979–2008) wind records from the recently released North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), a three‐dimensional, high‐spatial and temporal resolution, and dynamically consistent climate data set. The analyses focus on spatial distribution and seasonal and interannual variability of wind speed at 80 m above the ground, the hub height of the modern, 77 m diameter, 1500 kW wind turbines. The daily mean wind speeds exhibit a large seasonal variability, with the highest mean wind speed (∼6.58 m s−1) in November through January and the lowest (∼4.72 m s−1) in July and August. The spatial variability of the annual mean winds is small across the entire region and is dominated by land‐water contrasts with stronger winds over the lake surface than over land. Larger interannual variability is found during the winter months, whereas smaller variations occur in mid to late summer. The interannual variability appears to have some connections to El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, with lower mean wind speeds and more frequent occurrences of lulls during major El Niño episodes. Above‐normal ice cover of the Great Lakes appears to be associated with slightly lower wind speeds and vice versa. According to NARR data and the criteria established by wind energy industry, the areas over Lake Superior, Michigan, and Ontario appear to be rich in wind resources, but most land areas in the region are either unsuitable or marginal for potential wind energy development.
Validation of ozone monitoring instrument SO2 measurements in the Okmok volcanic cloud over Pullman, WA, July 2008
Authors: Spinei Elena , Carn Simon A. , Krotkov Nickolay A. , Mount George H. , Yang Kai , Krueger Arlin
Published: September 2010

The ozone monitoring instrument (OMI), launched on the EOS/Aura satellite in July 2004, makes daily global observations of natural and anthropogenic SO2 emissions with unprecedented spatial resolution. Here we present the first robust comparison of OMI volcanic SO2 retrievals with ground−based instrumentation, using direct Sun observations of the Okmok volcanic cloud from Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, WA on 18–20 July 2008. These measurements were made by the multifunction differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MFDOAS) instrument developed at WSU, as the Okmok cloud drifted over Pullman in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Observation conditions were favorable with cloud‐free skies and a relatively homogeneous volcanic cloud distribution on OMI ground pixel scales (∼20–50 km). Movement of the Okmok cloud north and south of Pullman over a period of several days permitted comparison with three OMI overpasses with SO2 column amounts above the SO2 background level. The total SO2 columns measured by MFDOAS during OMI overpasses were 3.11 ± 0.23 Dobson units (DU), 1.75 ± 0.16 DU and 1.22 ± 0.18 DU (1 DU = 2.69 × 1016 molecules/cm2 = 0.029 g/m2). Comparison of ground‐based direct Sun and operational and off‐line OMI retrievals show an excellent agreement, providing the first validation of OMI measurements of volcanic SO2 in the UTLS.
A continuous satellite‐derived global record of land surface evapotranspiration from 1983 to 2006
Authors: Zhang Ke , Kimball John S. , Nemani Ramakrishna R. , Running Steven W.
Published: September 2010

We applied a satellite remote sensing–based evapotranspiration (ET) algorithm to assess global terrestrial ET from 1983 to 2006. The algorithm quantifies canopy transpiration and soil evaporation using a modified Penman‐Monteith approach with biome‐specific canopy conductance determined from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and quantifies open water evaporation using a Priestley‐Taylor approach. These algorithms were applied globally using advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) GIMMS NDVI, NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis (NNR) daily surface meteorology, and NASA/GEWEX Surface Radiation Budget Release−3.0 solar radiation inputs. We used observations from 34 FLUXNET tower sites to parameterize an NDVI‐based canopy conductance model and then validated the global ET algorithm using measurements from 48 additional, independent flux towers. Two sets of monthly ET estimates at the tower level, driven by in situ meteorological measurements and meteorology interpolated from coarse resolution NNR meteorology reanalysis, agree favorably (root mean square error (RMSE) = 13.0–15.3 mm month−1; R2 = 0.80–0.84) with observed tower fluxes from globally representative land cover types. The global ET results capture observed spatial and temporal variations at the global scale and also compare favorably (RMSE = 186.3 mm yr−1; R2 = 0.80) with ET inferred from basin‐scale water balance calculations for 261 basins covering 61% of the global vegetated area. The results of this study provide a relatively long term global ET record with well‐quantified accuracy for assessing ET climatologies, terrestrial water, and energy budgets and long‐term water cycle changes.
Initial observations from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)
Authors: Smith David E. , Zuber Maria T. , Neumann Gregory A. , Lemoine Frank G. , Mazarico Erwan , Torrence Mark H. , McGarry Jan F. , Rowlands David D. , Head James W. , Duxbury Thomas H. , Aharonson Oded , Lucey Paul G. , Robinson Mark S. , Barnouin Olivier S. , Cavanaugh John F. , Sun Xiaoli , Liiva Peter , Mao Dan‐dan , Smith James C. , Bartels Arlin E.
Published: September 2010

As of June 19, 2010, the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter, an instrument on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, has collected over 2.0 × 109 measurements of elevation that collectively represent the highest resolution global model of lunar topography yet produced. These altimetric observations have been used to improve the lunar geodetic grid to ∼10 m radial and ∼100 m spatial accuracy with respect to the Moon's center of mass. LOLA has also provided the highest resolution global maps yet produced of slopes, roughness and the 1064‐nm reflectance of the lunar surface. Regional topography of the lunar polar regions allows precise characterization of present and past illumination conditions. LOLA's initial global data sets as well as the first high‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) of polar topography are described herein.
Quantifying the contribution of marine organic gases to atmospheric iodine
Authors: Jones Charlotte E. , Hornsby Karen E. , Sommariva Roberto , Dunk Rachel M. , von Glasow Roland , McFiggans Gordon , Carpenter Lucy J.
Published: September 2010

Oceanic emissions of gaseous organic iodine‐atom precursors have the potential to significantly affect atmospheric chemistry and climate, however there is currently considerable uncertainty associated with quantifying their sources. We present sea‐air fluxes calculated from simultaneous air and seawater measurements of a comprehensive range of volatile organic iodine compounds (VOICs), including CH3I and the less commonly reported dihalomethanes CH2ICl, CH2IBr and CH2I2, made during two cruises in the Atlantic Ocean between 15–58°N. The combined dihalomethane flux provides a global iodine source (∼0.33 ± 0.19 Tg I y−1) comparable to that of CH3I, and a surface iodine atom source 3–4 times higher. However, a 1D atmospheric model reveals that, in the tropical east Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Cape Verde, even these combined VOIC fluxes are capable of supporting only ∼10–25% of the observed IO levels, and suggests that a substantial (340–640 nmol I m−2 d−1) additional photochemical source of iodine is required.
Satellite‐based constraints on explosive SO2 release from Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat
Authors: Carn Simon A. , Prata Fred J.
Published: September 2010

Numerous episodes of explosive degassing have punctuated the 1995–2009 eruption of Soufrière Hills volcano (SHV), Montserrat, often following major lava dome collapses. We use ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) satellite measurements to quantify sulfur dioxide (SO2) released by explosive degassing, which is not captured by routine ground‐based and airborne gas monitoring. We find a total explosive SO2 release of ∼0.5 Tg, which represents ∼6% of total SO2 emissions from SHV since July 1995. The majority of this SO2 (∼0.4 Tg) was vented following the most voluminous SHV dome collapses in July 2003 and May 2006. Based on our analysis, we suggest that the SO2 burden measured following explosive disruption of lava domes depends on several factors, including the instantaneous lava effusion rate, dome height above the conduit, and the vertical component of directed explosions. Space‐based SO2 measurements merit inclusion in routine gas monitoring at SHV and other dome‐forming volcanoes.
Magnetic field dipolarization in the deep inner magnetosphere and its role in development of O+‐rich ring current
Authors: Nosé M. , Koshiishi H. , Matsumoto H. , C:son Brandt P. , Keika K. , Koga K. , Goka T. , Obara T.
Published: September 2010

We studied magnetic field dipolarization and associated ion acceleration in the deep inner magnetosphere, using magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometer on board the Mission Demonstration Satellite 1 (MDS‐1) and the energetic neutral atom (ENA) flux data obtained by the high‐energy neutral analyzer imager on board the Imager for Magnetopause‐to‐Aurora Global Exploration satellite. Because the MDS‐1 satellite has a geosynchronous transfer orbit, we could survey magnetic field variations at L = 3.0–6.5. Analyzing data in the period from February to July 2002, we found that (1) dipolarization can be detected over a wide range of L (i.e., L = 3.5–6.5, which is far inside the geosynchronous altitude); (2) when the MDS‐1 satellite was located close to auroral breakup longitude, the occurrence probability of dipolarization was about 50% just inside the geosynchronous altitude and about 16% at L = 3.5–5.0, suggesting that dipolarization in the deep inner magnetosphere is not unusual; (3) magnetic storms were developing whenever dipolarization was found at L = 3.5–5.0; (4) dipolarization was accompanied by magnetic field fluctuations having a characteristic timescale of 3–5 s, which is comparable to the local gyroperiod of O+ ions; and (5) after dipolarization, the oxygen ENA flux in the nightside ring current region was predominantly enhanced by a factor of 2–5 and stayed at an enhanced level for more than 1 h, while clear enhancement was scarcely seen in the hydrogen ENA flux. From these results, we conjectured a scenario for the generation of an O+‐rich ring current, in which preexisting thermal O+ ions in the outer plasmasphere (i.e., an oxygen torus known from satellite observations) experience local and nonadiabatic acceleration by magnetic field fluctuations that accompany dipolarization in the deep inner magnetosphere (L = 3.5–5.0).
Air‐soil exchange of dimethyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, and dimethyl disulfide in three subtropical forests in south China
Authors: Yi Zhigang , Wang Xinming , Ouyang Mingan , Zhang Deqiang , Zhou Guoyi
Published: September 2010

The exchange of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), carbon disulfide (CS2), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) between soil and the atmosphere was investigated in three subtropical forests in south China, namely, a monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest (BF) in climax successional stage, a pine and broadleaf mixed forest (MF) in midsuccessional stage, and a pine forest (PF) in primary successional stage. The forest soils acted as sources for DMS with average flux in BF (1.27 ± 1.40 pmol m−2 s−1) significantly higher than those in MF (0.46 ± 0.30 pmol m−2 s−1) or in PF (0.47 ± 0.36 pmol m−2 s−1). Litter‐removed plots showed 55%, 21%, and 53% lower DMS emission fluxes compared to litter‐remained plots in BF, MF, and PF, respectively, suggesting the litter layer made evident contribution to DMS emission. DMS fluxes were significantly higher in rain seasons than in dry seasons. Dependence of DMS fluxes on soil temperature varied in the three forests, and significant correlations between DMS fluxes and soil temperature were only observed in BF and MF. No significant correlation was found between soil water content and DMS fluxes. However, DMS fluxes were found to be significantly correlated with soil temperature and water content together in polynomial forms with an order of 2. DMS fluxes were also exponentially correlated with CO2 fluxes. CS2 and DMDS fluxes showed no consistent direction. CS2 fluxes varied between −8.51 and 4.72 pmol m−2 s−1 and DMDS fluxes between −0.25 and 2.00 pmol m−2 s−1, respectively. No clear patterns were found for the influence of litter layer on the CS2 or DMDS fluxes.
Mutated genes, pathways and processes in tumours
Authors: Baudot Anaïs , de la Torre Victor , Valencia Alfonso
Published: September 2010

Integration of the many available sources of cancer gene information—such as large‐scale tumour‐resequencing studies— identifies the ‘usual suspect’ genes, mutated in many tumour types, as well as different sets of mutated genes according to the specific tumour type. Scaling‐up the analysis reveals that this large collection of mutated genes cluster into a smaller number of signalling pathways and processes. From this, we draw a map of the altered processes, and their combinations, in more than 10 tumours types. Literature searches identify pathways and processes that are covered sparsely in the literature, and invite the proposal of new hypotheses to investigate cancer initiation and progression.
Sustainable digital infrastructure
Authors: Bastow Ruth , Leonelli Sabina
Published: September 2010

Databases and online resources are an integral tool for research but their funding remains a major problem. The authors propose and discuss various models for the support and maintenance of digital infrastructures.
Micro-Facts
Authors: Wareing Peter , Fernandes Rhea
Published: September 2010

The new seventh edition of Micro-Facts has been fully reviewed and updated to incorporate changes in the technical literature. A key change in the seventh edition is the addition of new sections on mycotoxins, food-spoilage yeasts, and factors affecting the growth of micro-organisms. A glossary of microbiological terms has also been added, together with information on twelve food-spoilage moulds that were not featured in the previous edition. The emphasis of this hugely successful book continues to be serving the needs of the food industry, whether manufacturer, retailer or caterer.
Defect formation energy and magnetic structure of shape memory alloys Ni–X–Ga (X=Mn, Fe, Co) by first principle calculation
Authors: Bai J. , Raulot J. M. , Zhang Y. D. , Esling C. , Zhao X. , Zuo L.
Published: September 2010

The crystallographic and magnetic structures of the Ni2XGa (X=Mn, Fe, Co), are systematically investigated by means of the first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory using the VIENNA AB INITIO SOFTWARE PACKAGE. The formation energies of several kinds of defects (atomic exchange, antisite, vacancy) are estimated. The Ga atoms stabilize the cubic structure, and the effect of X atoms on the structural stability is opposite. For most cases of the site occupation, the excess atoms of the rich component directly occupy the site(s) of the deficient one(s), except for Ga-rich Ni-deficient type. The magnitude of the variation in Ni moments is much larger than that of Mn in defective Ni2XGa. The value of Ni magnetic moment sensitively depends on the distance between Ni and X. Excess Mn could be ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic, depending on the distance between the neighboring Mn atoms.
Order and disorder of carbon deposit produced by arc discharge in liquid nitrogen
Authors: Scalese S. , Scuderi V. , Bagiante S. , Gibilisco S. , Faraci G. , Privitera V.
Published: September 2010

We have investigated the formation and the morphology of carbon deposit on the cathode, after arc discharge between two graphite electrodes immersed in liquid nitrogen. We show that the deposit is mainly composed of disordered carbon structures at the bottom and at the external part of the deposit, forming like a bowl, whereas randomly oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) aggregated as pillars are found at the center of the deposit. The spatial distribution of the two kinds of structures in the deposit, the size and the sharpness of the CNT pillars are found to depend both on the applied voltage and the current values used for the arc discharge. A correlation between the plasma temperature field and the morphology of the deposit is reported.
Toroidal dust motion in magnetized plasmas
Authors: Reichstein Torben , Pilch Iris , Piel Alexander
Published: September 2010

In a magnetized anodic plasma, dust particles can be confined in a torus-shaped cloud with a distinct dust-free region (void) in its center. The formation of these clouds and their dynamical behavior are experimentally studied with a new observation geometry. The particles rotate about the major axis of the torus. A refined model for the description of the particle dynamics is presented that accounts for inertia and many-body effects.
Iterative Monte Carlo path integral with optimal grids from whole-necklace sampling
Authors: Jadhao Vikram , Makri Nancy
Published: September 2010

The efficiency of the iterative Monte Carlo (IMC) path integral methodology for complex time correlation functions is increased through the use of optimal grids, which are sampled from paths that span the entire path integral necklace. The two-bead marginal distributions required in each step of the IMC iteration are obtained from a recursive procedure. Applications to one-dimensional and multi-dimensional model systems illustrate the enhancement in stability effected by the use of grids based on whole-necklace sampling.
Vibrational and thermal properties of small diameter silicon nanowires
Authors: Li J. C. , Wang C. L. , Peng H. , Wang M. X. , Zhang R. Z. , Wang H. C. , Liu J. , Zhao M. L. , Mei L. M.
Published: September 2010

We present the results of vibrational and thermal properties for small diameter silicon nanowires (Si-NWs) from first principles calculations. Phonon spectrums of the Si-NWs are obtained based on the density functional perturbation theory. We found that heat-carrying acoustic branches exhibit “bending,” which results from the strong interaction between acoustic and no-zero-frequency flexural modes. The bending of acoustic branches implies that the phonon group velocity (V=dω/dq) of Si-NWs is less than that of corresponding bulk silicon. Therefore, a lower lattice thermal conductivity of Si-NWs can be caused by the bending of acoustic phonon. In comparison with bulk silicon, optical branches of Si-NWs exhibit “blueshift,” which is due to the high frequency vibration of silicon atoms at the edge of Si-NWs. From the obtained phonon spectrums, specific heat is calculated. The specific heat of Si-NWs is also lower than that of bulk silicon crystal. The reduction in the specific heat is due to the small magnitude of vibration density of states of low frequency phonons. In the temperature range from 100 to 1000 K, the Debye temperatures are obtained. We found that the Debye temperature of the Si-NWs is much higher than that in the corresponding bulk silicon. Especially, Debye temperature of tetrahedral Si-NW is nearly twice higher than that of bulk silicon. From the temperature dependence of Hamholtz free energy of Si-NWs, we find that the cagelike Si-NWs have higher thermal stability than the tetrahedral Si-NW.
Modeling of ferroelectric domain imaging by atomic force microscopy
Authors: Roy Manas Kumar , Paul Jaita , Dattagupta Sushanta
Published: September 2010

We employ the Ginzburg–Landau–Devonshire free energy theory to construct a set of time-dependent ordinary differential equations in order to model the interaction dynamics of the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) with the surface of a ferroelectric thin film. Using this method we obtain (i) domain profile and (ii) domain nucleation which starts under the AFM tip. Since ferroelectrics are piezoelectric, the electromechanical coupling considered in our equations causes polarization to oscillate with the same frequency with which the AFM tip vibrates.
Enhanced gas adsorption property of hybrid nanopore-structured copper oxide synthesized from the carbon nanotube/copper composites
Authors: Lee Min Ha , Kim Kyung Tae , Gemming Thomas , Sordelet Daniel J. , Eckert Jürgen
Published: September 2010

Porous metallic oxides have high potential for applications as lightweight functional materials, particularly when they are comprised of structures with high specific surface areas. However, practical use of porous metal oxides is frequently limited because of complicated processing routes coupled with the prevalent limitation of producing high surface-area structures having cross section dimensions beyond the submicrometer range. In this paper, we describe a novel method for creating macroscopic (i.e., >103 mm3), monolithic structures of nanoporous copper oxide derived from extruded composite bulk precursor forms comprised of Cu and carbon nanotubes using a simple gas-solid reaction during a heating process in air. The final porous copper oxide architecture has a hybrid structure consisting of ∼500 nm sized macropores, which are separated by ligaments that contain copious quantities of ∼20 nm sized nanopores. The hybrid structure promotes high surface area, largely due to the generation of ∼20 nm pores, and furthermore, as a consequence of the interconnected ∼500 nm pores, facilitates more rapid adsorption rate of permeating gases, as compared to traditional porous metal oxides having a single distribution of nanopores.
Electronic properties of dysprosium silicide nanowires on Si(557)
Authors: Wanke M. , Franz M. , Vetterlein M. , Pruskil G. , Prohl C. , Höpfner B. , Stojanov P. , Huwald E. , Riley J. D. , Dähne M.
Published: September 2010

The electronic properties of self-assembled dysprosium silicide nanowires on Si(557) are studied by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Using a toroidal electron energy analyzer, the energy surfaces of the nanostructures are imaged. At dysprosium coverages exceeding one monolayer, metallic nanowires with a two-dimensional electronic structure are formed on [111]-oriented terraces, consisting of hexagonal DySi2 monolayers or Dy3Si5 multilayers with the c-axis in [111] direction of the substrate.
Thrust stand for low-thrust liquid pulsed rocket engines
Authors: Xing Qin , Zhang Jun , Qian Min , Jia Zhen-yuan , Sun Bao-yuan
Published: September 2010

A thrust stand is developed for measuring the pulsed thrust generated by low-thrust liquid pulsed rocket engines. It mainly consists of a thrust dynamometer, a base frame, a connecting frame, and a data acquisition and processing system. The thrust dynamometer assembled with shear mode piezoelectric quartz sensors is developed as the core component of the thrust stand. It adopts integral shell structure. The sensors are inserted into unique double-elastic-half-ring grooves with an interference fit. The thrust is transferred to the sensors by means of static friction forces of fitting surfaces. The sensors could produce an amount of charges which are proportional to the thrust to be measured. The thrust stand is calibrated both statically and dynamically. The in situ static calibration is performed using a standard force sensor. The dynamic calibration is carried out using pendulum-typed steel ball impact technique. Typical thrust pulse is simulated by a trapezoidal impulse force. The results show that the thrust stand has a sensitivity of 25.832 mV/N, a linearity error of 0.24% FSO, and a repeatability error of 0.23% FSO. The first natural frequency of the thrust stand is 1245 Hz. The thrust stand can accurately measure thrust waveform of each firing, which is used for fine control of on-orbit vehicles in the thrust range of 5–20 N with pulse frequency of 50 Hz.
Experiment study of the size effects on electron-phonon relaxation and electrical resistivity of polycrystalline thin gold films
Authors: Ma W. G. , Wang H. D. , Zhang X. , Wang W.
Published: September 2010

The electron–phonon relaxation and electrical resistivity of several polycrystalline thin gold films with different thickness have been investigated using the transient thermoreflectance technique and standard four-probe method, respectively. The results show that the electron–phonon relaxation is nearly the same as that of bulk gold and independent of film thickness, while the electrical resistivity greatly increases compared to the bulk value and tends to decrease as films become thicker. These discrepancies indicate quite a different influence of size effects on electron–phonon relaxation and electrical resistivity of polycrystalline thin gold films. We identify the mechanisms by which size effects influence the electron-phonon relaxation and electrical transport and explain why size effects alter them in different way.
Improved coupling of Josephson junction arrays to the open space
Authors: Song F. , He M. , Faley M. I. , Fang L. , Klushin A. M.
Published: September 2010

The substrates of Josephson junctions have recently been considered as dielectric resonator antennas in order to increase self-emission power from the junctions. Further investigations and interesting phenomena demonstrating this mechanism are presented in this paper. Junction arrays of the same layout were located on various substrates, and Shapiro steps and self-emission were studied in the course of the experiments and simulations. It is demonstrated that suitable substrates can be utilized to improve the coupling of the junctions to the open space for both irradiation and self-emission at the same time.
High-precision temperature control and stabilization using a cryocooler
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Nakamura Daiki , Murata Masayuki , Yamamoto Hiroya , Komine Takashi
Published: September 2010

We describe a method for precisely controlling temperature using a Gifford–McMahon (GM) cryocooler that involves inserting fiber-reinforced-plastic dampers into a conventional cryosystem. Temperature fluctuations in a GM cryocooler without a large heat bath or a stainless-steel damper at 4.2 K are typically of the order of 200 mK. It is particularly difficult to control the temperature of a GM cryocooler at low temperatures. The fiber-reinforced-plastic dampers enabled us to dramatically reduce temperature fluctuations at low temperatures. A standard deviation of the temperature fluctuations of 0.21 mK could be achieved when the temperature was controlled at 4.200 0 K using a feedback temperature control system with two heaters. Adding the dampers increased the minimum achievable temperature from 3.2 to 3.3 K. Precise temperature control between 4.200 0 and 300.000 K was attained using the GM cryocooler, and the standard deviation of the temperature fluctuations was less than 1.2 mK even at 300 K. This technique makes it possible to control and stabilize the temperature using a GM cryocooler.
Three-dimensional analysis of BaZrO3 pinning centers gives isotropic superconductivity in GdBa2Cu3O7−δ
Authors: Kaneko K. , Furuya K. , Yamada K. , Sadayama S. , Barnard J. S. , Midgley P. A. , Kato T. , Hirayama T. , Kiuchi M. , Matsushita T. , Ibi A. , Yamada Y. , Izumi T. , Shiohara Y.
Published: September 2010

BaZrO 3 doped GdBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor was prepared by pulsed layer deposition using a KrF excimer laser, which showed isotropic characteristics of critical current density, JC, for magnetic-field orientations, ∼4.0×109 A m−2 at 1.0 T. Microstructural and morphological characterization of resulting artificial pinning centers were conducted by transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography, which confirmed the presence of one-dimensional artificial pinning centers, BaZrO3 nanorods. Since there is noticeable anisotropy from GdBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor without doping BaZrO3, the pinning observed for all magnetic-field orientations are due to the high density and high dispersion of these BaZrO3 nanorods with very wide angular distributions.
Quantum transport simulation of nanoscale semiconductor devices based on Wigner Monte Carlo approach
Authors: Koba Shunsuke , Aoyagi Ryō , Tsuchiya Hideaki
Published: September 2010

In this paper, we present quantum transport simulation of nanoscale semiconductor devices based on Wigner Monte Carlo (WMC) approach. We have found that the WMC approach can accurately handle higher-order quantized subbands, tunneling, quantum reflection, and decoherence processes occurring in nanoscale semiconductor devices. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that carrier quantum transport in source electrode plays an important role in devices extremely downscaled into the nanometer regime.
Tensile fracture morphologies of bulk metallic glass
Authors: Qu R. T. , Stoica M. , Eckert J. , Zhang Z. F.
Published: September 2010

The fracture morphology plays a much important role not only for the failure analysis of materials but also for the clarification of their fracture mechanisms. However, quantitative analysis of the fracture morphology of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) is still very lacking. In this study, both model and mechanical experiments were conducted to reveal the development of the fracture morphology and the effect of stress state. Inclined notch tensile specimens of a Zr-based BMG with different notch angles were designed to obtain various stress states. For the first time, some new parameters to describe the tensile fracture surfaces of the BMG specimens were proposed. Statistical analysis of these parameters shows that the stress state has a significant influence on the features of fracture surfaces. Through a discussion on the structure and heat evolution during tensile deformation, two damage mechanisms associated with thermal softening and weakening by defects are found to have a combined effect on the tensile fracture of BMG.
Influences of cracking of coated superconducting layer on voltage-current curve, critical current, and n-value in DyBCO-coated conductor pulled in tension
Authors: Ochiai S. , Arai T. , Toda A. , Okuda H. , Sugano M. , Osamura K. , Prusseit W.
Published: September 2010

Influences of cracking of coating layer under applied tensile strain on V(voltage)-I(current) curve, critical current, and n-value of DyBa2Cu3O7−δ coated conductor were studied experimentally and analytically. The experimentally measured variations in V-I curve, critical current, and n-value with increasing applied strain and the correlation of n-value to critical current were described well by the partial crack-current shunting model of Fang et al. Also, the variations in the ratio of shunting current to overall critical current and the ratio of voltage developed in the cracked region to overall voltage with extension of crack, and the variation in critical current with the ratio of noncracked area to overall cross-sectional area of superconducting layer were revealed.