bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuity and Change in the Production of Academic Journals: The China Quarterly then and now
Authors: Hook Brian G.
Published: December 2009

Looking back over three decades during which I had close involvement in the production of The China Quarterly, I am struck by both the degrees of continuity and by the forces for change. On the continuity side, the role of the host institution, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has been vitally important to its survival and development to become the pre-eminent journal in the field. At the same time, continuity would have been neither evident nor achievable without the stimuli provided by the current history of China and by those working in China studies. On the side of change, the major driving force has been the overall effect of advances in technology. Successively since the 1990s, these have transformed the means by which authors' contributions are composed and submitted, the stages in conducting the editorial process, and the ways in which the journal is printed, published, marketed and delivered.
The China Quarterly and Contemporary China Studies
Authors: Shambaugh David
Published: December 2009

It is an honour and pleasure to join in this commemorative symposium of the 50th anniversary of The China Quarterly, still the field's flagship journal. The journal is entering its “middle age” in fine form. Like most who turn 50, The China Quarterly has had its ups and downs, its signature moments and trying times, but has sustained itself with a sense of purpose and strong identity, supported by its extended family (contributors, readers, staff and editorial board). The China Quarterly has been a living chronicle and window for the world to view one of the most important countries on earth. The China Quarterly has much to be proud of over the past half century, but journal's best days hopefully still lie ahead.
The China Quarterly in an Era of Transitions, 1996–2002
Authors: Edmonds Richard Louis
Published: December 2009

I feel honoured and privileged to participate in this ceremony celebrating The China Quarterly's 50th year. Throughout the years the journal has remained the core source for retrospective information on modern China. It is the journal staff, the editorial board, the readership, and the writers who submit papers that have kept the journal at the top of the field. Over the years this tradition forged by those who went before me, has shaped and greatly facilitated what an editor can do with the journal. It seems that most editors have found it wise to build upon what was already there while attempting to expand coverage and encouraging work in new or somewhat neglected areas, and I was no exception. Since I am the first editor who was not involved in The China Quarterly's 35th anniversary symposium, although I was present at that event, I will concentrate a bit more on details of my editorship.
Against Bolshevism: Georg Werthmann and the Role of Ideology in the Catholic Military Chaplaincy, 1939–1945
Authors: FAULKNER LAUREN N.
Published: December 2009

From 1939 to 1945, Georg Werthmann worked tirelessly to preserve the Catholic military chaplaincy of the German armed forces from Nazi Party interference. He and the men who worked under him valued their service as integral to the Catholic German soldiers in need of spiritual help; they also viewed the war in which they were engaged as a crusade against Bolshevism, an enemy to be beaten at any cost. The article focuses on the reactions of Werthmann and select chaplains and seminarians to two military regulations concerning the chaplaincy, and on their understanding of Bolshevism, revealing that Nazi and Catholic ideologies shared significant commonalities that encouraged their wartime service.
Verarbeitung von schülerbezogener Information als zielgeleiteter Prozess
Authors: Krolak-Schwerdt Sabine , Böhmer Matthias , Gräsel Cornelia
Published: December 2009

Die vorliegende Untersuchung geht der Frage nach, inwieweit unterschiedliche Ziele bei der Verarbeitung beobachtbarer Merkmale von Schülern (z. B. Verhaltensweisen) die Aufmerksamkeitsallokation und die Gedächtnisleistung für diese Merkmale beeinflussen. Hierzu erhielten Lehrer als Experten (Experiment 1) sowie Studierende der Naturwissenschaften als Laien (Experiment 2) Fallbeschreibungen von Schülern unter der Zielvorgabe, sich entweder einen Eindruck über den Schüler zu bilden (Eindrucksbildungsziel) oder aber die weitere Entwicklung des Schülers vorherzusagen (Vorhersageziel). Lesezeiten (self-paced reading time) und freie Reproduktionen (free recall) wurden erhoben. Unter dem Ziel der Vorhersage fokussierten und reproduzierten Experten die individuellen Schülermerkmale; unter dem Eindrucksbildungsziel verwendeten sie eine verfügbare soziale Kategorie. Bei Laien hingegen hatte das Ziel keinen Einfluss auf die Verarbeitung der Schülermerkmale.
Fachspezifität und Stabilität diagnostischer Kompetenz von Grundschullehrkräften in den Fächern Deutsch und Mathematik
Authors: Lorenz Christian , Artelt Cordula
Published: December 2009

Trotz der hohen Bedeutung diagnostischer Kompetenz von Lehrkräften ist über die Reichweite bzw. Spezifität des Konstrukts und ihre Stabilität bislang vergleichsweise wenig bekannt. Auf Basis längsschnittlicher Daten der Bamberger Forschergruppe BiKS gehen wir Fragen zur Güte, Spezifizität und Stabilität diagnostischer Urteile von Grundschullehrkräften in den Fächern Deutsch und Mathematik nach. Untersucht wurden die mit Abstand von einem halben Jahr im ersten und im zweiten Halbjahr der vierten Klassenstufe abgegebenen Urteile von 127 Klassenlehrerinnen und -lehrern zu den mathematischen und sprachlichen Leistungen ihrer jeweiligen Schülerinnen und Schüler. Die Urteile wurden mit den gleichzeitig erhobenen entsprechenden Testleistungen der von diesen Lehrkräften unterrichteten und von uns untersuchten 1.852 bayerischen und hessischen Schülerinnen und Schülern in Beziehung gesetzt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass sich die Fähigkeit von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern, Schülerleistungen in eine Rangreihe zu bringen, erwartungsgemäß fachbezogen, kaum jedoch fachübergreifend abbilden lässt. Hinsichtlich der Güte diagnostischer Urteile bestätigen sich die in der Literatur berichteten Befunde zur Rangordnungskomponente, die in unserer Stichprobe in Abhängigkeit vom Zeitpunkt und Fach zwischen r = .54 und .66 variiert. Die Analysen zur Stabilität der Güte fachbezogener diagnostischer Urteile verdeutlichen, dass es Gründe für die Annahme einer zeitlich überdauernden fachbezogenen diagnostischen Kompetenz von Grundschullehrkräften gibt. Die Konsequenzen dieser Befunde sowohl für theoretische Modelle der Diagnosekompetenz als auch des Professionsbegriffs bei Lehrkräften werden diskutiert.
Effekte von Kooperation auf die Qualität von Lehrmaterial
Authors: Ihme Toni Alexander , Möller Jens , Pohlmann Britta
Published: December 2009

Während das kooperative Lernen inzwischen relativ häufig Forschungsgegenstand ist, gibt es kaum Untersuchungen zu Effekten von Kooperation in der Lehre. Um die Auswirkungen von Kooperation auf die Erstellung von Lehrmaterialien zu ermitteln, wurden in zwei Studien N = 82 Schüler (Studie 1) bzw. N = 63 Studierende (Studie 2) vor die Aufgabe gestellt, ein Flipchart zur Vermittlung der Inhalte eines Textes zu entwerfen. Das Versuchsdesign unterschied jeweils zwei Bedingungen: Kooperative Arbeit in einer Dyade und Einzelarbeit. Probanden in den Dyaden wiesen eine höhere Arbeitsmotivation auf und produzierten fehlerfreie Flipcharts.
Förderung des induktiven Denkens im Klassenzimmer
Authors: Billmann-Mahecha Elfriede , Tiedemann Joachim , Kölbl Carlos
Published: December 2009

Auf der Basis der präskriptiven Theorie induktiven Denkens von Klauer wurde ein kognitives Förderprogramm für Grundschulklassen entwickelt und an einer Stichprobe von 12 dritten Grundschulklassen evaluiert. Auf der Basis eines Prä-/Posttest-Kontrollgruppendesigns wurde die mehrstündige Förderung implementiert. Die Ergebnisse verweisen auf signifikante Steigerungen der Leistungen des induktiven Denkens im standardisierten Test. Der ermittelte Effekt erscheint angesichts der Trainingsdauer erwartungsgemäß. Mögliche Transfereffekte werden diskutiert. Die Ergebnisse unterstützen das Ziel einer Förderung induktiven Denkens in Schulklassen.
Urologische Nierensteinbehandlung
Authors: Bolleter Groebli , Sulser  , Müntener
Published: December 2009

Die Nephrolithiasis ist eine für die Betroffenen belastende und für das Gesundheitssystem sehr teure urologische Erkrankung. Die Indikation zur aktiven Behandlung von Steinen im Nierenbecken-Kelchsystem richtet sich im Wesentlichen nach der Konkrementgrösse und der klinischen Symptomatik. Das Ziel einer modernen Nierensteintherapie ist die vollständige Entfernung aller Konkremente im Nierenbeckenkelchsystem bei geringstmöglicher Morbidität. Die Extrakorporale Stosswellenlithotripsie (ESWL), die Perkutane Nephrolitholapaxie (PNL) und die flexible Ureterorenoskopie (URS) sind die wesentlichen Behandlungsmodalitäten für die Therapie der Nephrolithiasis. Abhängig von Steingrösse, -lokalisation und -härte wird diesen verschiedenen Therapiemöglichkeiten eine unterschiedliche Priorität zugeordnet. Aufgrund signifikanter technischer Fortschritte im Bereich der Endourologie zeigt sich heute international ein zunehmender Trend hin zur flexiblen URS, welche aus verschiedenen Gründen eine viel versprechende Methode zur Behandlung von Nierensteinen darstellt.
Nicht-invasive Verfahren zur Diagnose des Melanoms
Authors: Kolm  , French  , Braun
Published: December 2009

In den letzten Jahren wurden neue nicht-invasive Techniken zur Frühdiagnose des Melanoms immer populärer. Dermatoskopie, Ganzkörperübersichtsfotografie, digitale Dermatoskopie werden immer häufiger von Dermatologen eingesetzt, um Muttermale frühzeitig von Melanomen unterscheiden zu können. Einen neuen, vielversprechenden Ansatz der nicht-invasiven Diagnostik des Melanoms stellt die konfokale Mikroskopie dar.
Age offsets among different biogenic and lithogenic components of sediment cores revealed by numerical modeling
Authors: Heinze C. , Kriest I. , Maier‐Reimer E.
Published: December 2009

For modeled sediment cores of the open ocean, a method for predicting simultaneously the ages of four different solid sediment compounds with respect to their depositional year onto the sediment surface is presented. The simulation of time‐dependent age distribution in the sediment mixed layer and the eventually accumulating sediment is a prerequisite of a proper data assimilation of marine sediment core data into predictive climate models. Through such a data assimilation, marine paleoclimate data could then be efficiently used in order to optimally determine adjustable model parameters. The age simulation is based on a passive tracer transport method taking into account varying vertical advection rates within the sediment top layers, chemical pore water reactions, and bioturbation. It turns out that different weight fractions of the modeled sediment have different ages in one horizontal geometric depth‐in‐core level depending on the particle rain onto the sediment and the reactivity of the material within the sediment pore waters. For simultaneous consideration of paleoclimatic tracers associated within one and the same weight fraction, e.g., for calcium carbonate, tracers such as foraminiferal δ13C, and calcium carbonate weight percentages, this may not be critical. However, for simultaneous consideration of calcium carbonate and opal weight percentages, the age difference in the observed weight fractions may have to be corrected. The age offset between CaCO3 and opal depends critically on the sediment accumulation rate. Low‐accumulation sites are more strongly affected than high‐accumulation sites.
Calculating the topography of a differentiated Vesta
Authors: Kattoum Yaser N. , Dombard Andrew J.
Published: December 2009

Previous examination of the topography of a homogenous Vesta revealed an immense, seemingly abnormal impact crater near the south pole of the asteroid. The crater appeared anomalously shallow, with an extremely tall central peak, suggesting an unusual formation or subsequent modification. Conversely, Vesta is almost certainly differentiated, and we incorporate this notion to reexamine its topography. We find that the central peak is well below the crater rim and that the overall depth of the crater increases, giving it a more ordinary profile. The large density contrast between the metallic core and the overlying silicate layers has the strongest control on the topography. As previously discussed, the location of the crater at the south pole suggests polar wander, necessitating a mechanical structure that allows reorientation of Vesta's large rotational bulge yet preserves the crater's shape, a possibly restrictive scenario. NASA's Dawn spacecraft may observe tectonics consistent with polar wander.
Water uptake, active root volume, and solute leaching under drip irrigation: A numerical study
Authors: Russo David , Laufer Asher , Silber Avner , Assouline Shmuel
Published: December 2009

The use of saline water for irrigation is based on the concept that increasing irrigation water quantity may offset in part the negative effects associated with higher salinity. The main goals of this paper were (1) to investigate the impact of the controllable variables, the relative quantity (Qr), and the quality (C0) of the irrigation water on water uptake, active root volume, and solute leaching under daily drip irrigation in fine (clay) and coarse (sandy) textured soils; (2) to test the hypothesis that the reduced active root zone associated with salt accumulation may further reduce water uptake by plant roots; and (3) to assess consequences of using (C0‐Qr) substitutions based on the FAO recommendations on salinity control with respect to agricultural and environmental aspects. Novel findings of this study suggest that in the clay soil mean water extraction rate, Sw is quite robust to C0‐Qr substitutions, and the decrease in transpiration, T, induced by increasing C0 is mainly due to the decrease in the soil volume providing most (90%) of the root water uptake, Vs. In contrast, in the sandy soil, Vs may increase with C0‐Qr substitutions, and the decrease in T is mainly due to the decrease in Sw, induced by osmotic pressure head reduction. Consequently, in the clay soil, a simultaneous increase of Qr and C0 based on the FAO substitution curve may lead to an increase in root uptake efficiency, T/Vs, while it may cause the opposite effect in the sandy soil. Furthermore, compensation for the adverse effects of increasing C0 on relative transpiration, Tr, by C0‐Qr substitutions is more efficient in the clay soil than in the sandy soil. The C0‐Qr substitution approach may lead to an increase in the salt load leached below the root zone, thus increasing the potential for polluting groundwater resources. Results of the present study suggest that for both soils, from both agricultural and, particularly, environmental points of view, irrigation with high‐quality water which may comply with economical criteria is desirable.
Complexities of oestrogen in stroke
Authors: Carswell Hilary V.O. , Macrae I. Mhairi , Farr Tracy D.
Published: December 2009

Evidence exists for the potential protective effects of circulating ovarian hormones in stroke, and oestrogen reduces brain damage in animal ischaemia models. However, a recent clinical trial indicated that HRT (hormone-replacement therapy) increased the incidence of stroke in post-menopausal women, and detrimental effects of oestrogen on stroke outcome have been identified in a meta-analysis of HRT trials and in pre-clinical research studies. Therefore oestrogen is not an agent that can be promoted as a potential stroke therapy. Many published reviews have reported the neuroprotective effects of oestrogen in stroke, but have failed to include information on the detrimental effects. This issue is addressed in the present review, along with potential mechanisms of action, and the translational capacity of pre-clinical research.
Effects of GIK (glucose–insulin–potassium) on stress-induced myocardial ischaemia
Authors: Di Marco Stefano , Boldrini Beatrice , Conti Umberto , Marcucci Gabriella , Morgantini Cecilia , Ferrannini Ele , Natali Andrea
Published: December 2009

Despite the evidence in experimental animal models that insulin, or GIK (glucose–insulin–potassium), improves left ventricular function and perfusion during both acute and chronic ischaemia, clinical studies have generated conflicting results. We tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with GIK attenuates the vascular and functional effects of stress-induced myocardial ischaemia in humans. Twenty-two patients with evidence of inducible myocardial ischaemia were enrolled; 11 patients with normal ventricular function underwent two dipyridamole echocardiography tests, and 11 with regional contractility defects from previous myocardial infarction were submitted to two ECG exercise tests combined with 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy; the tests were preceded by 60 min of either normal saline or an isoglycaemic GIK infusion. On a stress echocardiogram, a 30% reduction in the severity of ischaemia was observed. On ECG ergometry, GIK infusion slightly increased the time to ischaemia (+0.6 min, P=0.07); however, the higher workload (+8%, P=0.07) was achieved at a similar rate–pressure plateau. On scintigraphy, an increase in ischaemic segments (+48%, P<0.001) was imaged mainly at the expense of viable (but non-ischaemic) and non-viable segments, which were reduced by 60%. GIK affected stress-induced left ventricular underperfusion only marginally (GIK: 39.7±2.5 compared with saline: 35.4±2.2 units, P<0.05), but significantly improved its acute reversibility (−42±4 compared with −25±4%, P<0.001). We conclude that GIK pretreatment attenuates the effect of ischaemia on myocardial contractility, slightly improves exercise tolerance and causes a more rapid and diffuse recovery of post-ischaemic reperfusion.
Thermal strain measurement in sol-gel lead zirconate titanate thin films
Authors: Berfield T. A. , Carroll J. F. , Payne D. A. , Sottos N. R.
Published: December 2009

A fluorescence-based digital image correlation (DIC) technique is used to characterize the in-plane strain development of blanket sol-gel derived lead zirconate titanate thin films deposited on platinized silicon substrates. The in-plane strain is also measured within film line features patterned via a mediated octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODS) monolayer. The results indicate that the selective film failure induced by the mediated ODS layer succeeds in slightly reducing the in-plane strain transverse to the line feature direction (∼25% lower), while remaining nearly the same as the blanket film case in the direction parallel to the line direction. Additional in-plane stress estimates from wafer curvature measurements for the two film configurations (blanket and ODS patterned) were consistent with the DIC measured strain results.
B-spline parametrization of the dielectric function applied to spectroscopic ellipsometry on amorphous carbon
Authors: Weber J. W. , Hansen T. A. R. , van de Sanden M. C. M. , Engeln R.
Published: December 2009

The remote plasma deposition of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) thin films is investigated by in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The dielectric function of the a-C:H film is in this paper parametrized by means of B-splines. In contrast with the commonly used Tauc–Lorentz oscillator, B-splines are a purely mathematical description of the dielectric function. We will show that the B-spline parametrization, which requires no prior knowledge about the film or its interaction with light, is a fast and simple-to-apply method that accurately determines thickness, surface roughness, and the dielectric constants of hydrogenated amorphous carbon thin films. Analysis of the deposition process provides us with information about the high deposition rate, the nucleation stage, and the homogeneity in depth of the deposited film. Finally, we show that the B-spline parametrization can serve as a stepping stone to physics-based models, such as the Tauc–Lorentz oscillator.
Transforming to Lorentz gauge on de Sitter
Authors: Miao S. P. , Tsamis N. C. , Woodard R. P.
Published: December 2009

We demonstrate that certain gauge fixing functionals cannot be added to the action on backgrounds such as de Sitter, in which a linearization instability is present. We also construct the field-dependent gauge transformation that carries the electromagnetic vector potential from a convenient, non-de Sitter invariant gauge to the de Sitter invariant, Lorentz gauge. The transformed propagator agrees with the de Sitter invariant result previously found by solving the propagator equation in Lorentz gauge. This shows that the gauge transformation technique will eliminate unphysical breaking of de Sitter invariance introduced by a gauge condition. It is suggested that the same technique can be used to finally resolve the issue of whether or not free gravitons are de Sitter invariant.
Koopmans’ springs to life
Authors: Salzner Ulrike , Baer Roi
Published: December 2009

The meaning of orbital energies (OOEs) in Kohn–Sham (KS) density functional theory (DFT) is subject to a longstanding controversy. In local, semilocal, and hybrid density functionals (DFs) a Koopmans’ approach, where OOEs approximate negative ionization potentials (IPs), is unreliable. We discuss a methodology based on the Baer–Neuhauser–Livshits range-separated hybrid DFs for which Koopmans’ approach “springs to life.” The OOEs are remarkably close to the negative IPs with typical deviances of ±0.3 eV down to IPs of 30 eV, as demonstrated on several molecules. An essential component is the ab initio motivated range-parameter tuning procedure, forcing the highest OOE to be exactly equal to the negative first IP. We develop a theory for the curvature of the energy as a function of fractional occupation numbers to explain some of the results.
On the stability of general cubic-quartic functional equations in Menger probabilistic normed spaces
Authors: Ghaffari A. , Alinejad A. , Gordji M. Eshaghi
Published: December 2009

In this paper, the stability of the general cubic-quartic functional equation, f(x+ky)+f(x−ky)=k2(f(x+y)+f(x−y))+2(1−k2)f(x)+[(k4−k2)/4](f(2y)−8f(y))+f̃(2x)−16f̃(x), where f̃(x)≔f(x)+f(−x) in the setting of Menger probabilistic normed spaces, is proved.
Matrix projective spaces and twistorlike incidence structures
Authors: Agnew Alfonso F. , Childress Scot P.
Published: December 2009

We consider projective spaces constructed over (real or complex) matrix rings and study their topological separation properties. The method of construction results in non-Hausdorff spaces, where incidence properties associated with a Grassmann/flag interpretation of the spaces are neatly encoded in the lack of standard topological separation properties. The physical motivation for studying this class of spaces is due to the emergence in mathematical physics during recent years of methods from algebraic geometry and Clifford and tensored division algebras. More specifically, there is the observation of Souček [Twistor Newsletter 13, 22 (1981); Czech. J. Phys., Sect. B 32, 688 (1982)] that the basic twistor correspondence arises in the study of the biquaternionic projective line, BP1. In regard to the result of Souček, a subclass of the spaces presented here constitutes the n-dimensional generalization of BP1, biquaternionic projective n-space, BPn. We also discuss the generalization of the basic twistor correspondence in the more general setting of matrix projective spaces.
Synthetic antiferromagnet with Heusler alloy Co2FeAl ferromagnetic layers
Authors: Xu X. G. , Zhang D. L. , Li X. Q. , Bao J. , Jiang Y. , Jalil M. B. A.
Published: December 2009

Heusler alloy Co2FeAl was employed as ferromagnetic layers in Co2FeAl (3nm)∕Ru (xnm)∕Co2FeAl (5nm) synthetic antiferromagnet structures. The experimental results show that the structure with a Ru thickness of 0.45nm is strongly antiferromagnetic coupled, which is maintained after annealing at 150°C for 1h. The structure has a very low saturation magnetization Ms of 425emu∕cm3, a low switching field Hsw of 4.3Oe, and a high saturation field Hs of 5257Oe at room temperature, which are favorable for application in ultrahigh density magnetic read heads or other magnetic memory devices. Crystal structure study testifies that the as-deposited Co2FeAl film is in the B2 phase. Therefore, Heusler alloys can be used to fabricate synthetic antiferromagnetic and it is possible to make “all-Heusler” spin valves or magnetic tunneling junctions with better magnetic switching properties and high magnetoresistance.
Excess carrier recombination lifetime of bulk n-type 3C-SiC
Authors: Grivickas Vytautas , Manolis Georgios , Gulbinas Karolis , Jarašiūnas Kęstutis , Kato Masashi
Published: December 2009

Transient absorption technique was used to determine carrier lifetimes in 3C-SiC grown on Si and 6H-SiC substrates. A slow lifetime component originated from minority carrier traps and pointed out to the trap saturation with increasing injection. Recombination lifetime in different samples varied between 0.5–120 ns. Its value decreased with excess carrier density in the transition range between minority-carrier-lifetime and high-injection lifetime but abnormally increased above the carrier density of 2×1017 cm−3. Negligible contribution of surface and Auger recombination to recombination lifetime peculiarities was observed. Possible mechanisms of the observed lifetime variation are discussed.
Hybrid radio-frequency/direct-current plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system for deposition on inner surfaces of polyethylene terephthalate bottles
Authors: Li Jing , Tian Xiubo , Gong Chunzhi , Yang Shiqin , Fu Ricky K. Y. , Chu Paul K.
Published: December 2009

A hybrid radio-frequency (rf)/direct-current (dc) system has been developed to control the biasing effects during deposition of diamondlike carbon (DLC) films onto the inner wall of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. An additional dc bias is coupled to the rf electrode to produce the effect of equivalent rf self-biasing. This allows more flexible control of the deposition of the DLC films which are intended to improve the gas barrier characteristics. The experimental results demonstrate that the additional dc bias improves the adhesion strength between the DLC film and PET, although the enhancement in the gas barrier properties is not significantly larger compared to the one without dc bias. The apparatus and methodology have practical importance in the food and beverage industry.
Magnetic properties and atomic structure of La2/3Ca1/3MnO3–YBa2Cu3O7 heterointerfaces
Authors: Zhang Z. L. , Kaiser U. , Soltan S. , Habermeier H.-U. , Keimer B.
Published: December 2009

A heterostructure comprised of a 2.7 nm (7 unit cell) thick layer of the metallic ferromagnet La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 and two 50 nm thick layers of the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 epitaxially grown on (100) SrTiO3 by pulsed-laser deposition was characterized by magnetization measurements and spherical-aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The saturation magnetization is about half of that in bulk La2/3Ca1/3MnO3. A massive reduction in the magnetization previously inferred from sputter-deposited La2/3Ca1/3MnO3–YBa2Cu3O7 heterostructures can be ruled out. HRTEM image analysis, combined with image simulation and a focus series reconstruction, revealed atomically sharp epitaxial structures with stacking sequences –(La,Ca)O–CuO2– and –BaO–MnO– at the top and bottom interface.
Enhancement of electron transport by horizontal molecular orientation of oxadiazole planar molecules in organic amorphous films
Authors: Yokoyama Daisuke , Sakaguchi Akio , Suzuki Michio , Adachi Chihaya
Published: December 2009

To demonstrate the effect of molecular orientation on charge transport characteristics in vacuum-deposited organic amorphous films, the electrical and optical properties of films of two oxadiazole derivatives were investigated. One of them has bulky tert-butyl terminals and forms an isotropic film, whereas the other has planar bipyridyl terminals and forms a highly anisotropic film. The very large optical anisotropy of the latter means that the planar molecules stack horizontally, leading to large overlaps of π-orbitals and more than 30 times higher electron mobility though the geometric and electronic structures of the main conformers of the two derivatives are quite similar.
Utilisation of forage rape (Brassica napus) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) diets by sheep: effects on whole tract digestibility and rumen parameters
Authors: Kaur R. , Garcia S. C. , Fulkerson W. J. , Barchia I.
Published: December 2009

This study investigated the effect of increasing the proportion of forage rape or Persian clover in the diet on dry matter intake (DMI), whole tract digestibility and rumen function. Two experiments were conducted simultaneously; each in a 3 by 3 Latin square design with rumen-fistulated sheep fed either increasing amounts (10, 25 or 40% DM of the diet) of forage rape (experiment 1) or Persian clover (experiment 2). The remaining diet comprised short-rotation ryegrass, cereal-based pellets and maize silage, formulated to give similar metabolisable energy (MJ/kg DM), neutral detergent fibre and protein values between treatments. Purine derivatives excreted in the urine were used to estimate microbial protein synthesis.
The study found similar DMI within forage rape and Persian clover treatments, although total DMI was 16% higher for the latter (29 v. 25 g/kg liveweight.day, respectively). The in vivo DM (mean = 0.75) and neutral detergent fibre (mean = 0.65) digestibility coefficients were similar (P > 0.05) within and between experiments. The mean (±s.e.) rumen pH in sheep fed forage rape-based diets (6.17 ± 0.10) was higher than for Persian clover-based diets (5.70 ± 0.09). The efficiency of microbial N supply expressed as microbial N (g/day) per kg of digestible organic matter fermented in the rumen was also similar (P > 0.05) within and between forage rape and Persian clover treatments (mean = 23.4 g microbial N/kg digestible organic matter fermented). The results indicate that increasing the proportion of high nutritive value forage rape or Persian clover within the diet of sheep did not affect the efficiency of feed utilisation.
Effect of prefeeding on foraging patterns of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) about prefeed transects
Authors: Warburton B. , Clayton R. , Nugent G. , Graham G. , Forrester G.
Published: December 2009

Context. Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are a major pest of native biodiversity and agricultural production in New Zealand. To maximise the effectiveness of control operations, prefeeding (free-feeding) of non-toxic bait before poison is often used, but the mechanisms by which it does so, remain unclear. One possibility is that prefeeding changes foraging patterns and space use in ways that increase the likelihood of possums finding and eating a lethal dose of poison bait. Aim. To determine whether prefeeding along transects increases possum activity on the transect, and if so, how long the effect lasts. Methods. We monitored the time that radio-collared possums spent within a few metres of 350 m of aerial wire laid along a transect. Key results. Initially, possums spent only 2.6 min per night in the vicinity of the wire, but after 20 kg of bait per kilometre were placed along the wire, that time increased 20-fold on the first night and remained high for the next four nights (by which time all of the bait had been consumed). After that there was a gradual decline in time spent near the wire over a further 18 days. The increased amount of time spent near the wire was the product of both an increase in the number of visits and the duration of those visits. Conclusions. We conclude that sowing prefeed in concentrated strips is likely to greatly increase the probability of possums rapidly encountering toxic bait sown along the same strips, especially where the toxin can be sown immediately after all of the prefeed has been eaten. Implications. Possum control operations can now be designed to apply much smaller quantities of toxic bait that will potentially reduce concerns about 1080 poisoning because of a move away from broadcast sowing operations that are intuitively disliked by many, to much more localised baiting regimes.
Managing big boys: a case study on remote anaesthesia and satellite tracking of adult male New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri)
Authors: Geschke Katja , Chilvers B. Louise
Published: December 2009

Context. Handling animals is essential for many applications in wildlife management. However, currently there are limited techniques to safely handle and move large mobile pinnipeds, particularly when they cannot be physically restrained first. Such animals can be the cause of many land-based wildlife–human conflicts. The New Zealand (NZ) sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) is the world’s rarest and second largest otariid, and is in severe decline. Although most NZ sea lions live on uninhabited NZ subantarctic islands, a small population is recolonising the coastline of Otago, NZ and this close proximity with humans can cause conflict. Aims. The aim of this research was to assess a method of remote chemical anaesthesia for its ability to safely and practically immobilise large pinnipeds to allow attachment of satellite tracking equipment and to handle and potentially move animals if in situations of conflict. Methods. The chemical anaesthetic Zoletil® was remotely applied to immobilise adult male NZ sea lions at Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, to allow handling and the application of satellite tracking equipment. Key results. Six adult males weighing up to 330 kg were successfully anaesthetised, weighed and measured. Two of these had satellite location tags attached, which showed two very different post-breeding movement patterns by adult males and indicated minimum overlap with local fisheries activities. Conclusions. This remote anaesthesia technique was successful for adult male NZ sea lions and could be used for the immobilisation and management of other large mobile pinnipeds. Implications. The ability to anaesthetise and safely handle large adult male pinnipeds will provide better management in areas where animals come in close contact with human populations with possible lethal interactions or where attachment of monitoring equipment is required to investigate population parameters or possible lethal interactions.
The D-type cyclin CYCD4;1 modulates lateral root density in
Arabidopsis
by affecting the basal meristem region
Authors: Nieuwland Jeroen , Maughan Spencer , Dewitte Walter , Scofield Simon , Sanz Luis , Murray James A. H.
Published: December 2009

Root cell division occurs primarily in the apical meristem, from which cells are displaced into the basal meristem, where division decreases and cell length increases before the final differentiation zone. The organization of the root in concentric files implies coordinated division and differentiation of cell types, including the xylem pole pericycle cells, which uniquely can resume division to initiate lateral roots (LR). Here, we show that D-type cyclin
CYCD4;1
is expressed in meristematic pericycle protoxylem poles and is required for normal LR density.
Cycd4;1
mutants also show a displacement of the apical/basal meristem boundary in the pericycle and longer pericycle basal meristem cells, whereas other cell layers and overall meristem size and root growth are unaffected. Auxin is proposed to separately prepattern and stimulate LR initiation. Stimulation is unimpaired in
cycd4;1
, suggesting
CYCD4;1
requirement for normal spacing but not initiation. Both pericycle cell length and LR density phenotypes of
cycd4;1
are rescued by low concentrations of applied auxin, suggesting that the basal meristem has a role in determining LR density. We further show
CYCD4;1
is rate-limiting for sucrose-dependent LR formation, since
CYCD4;1
expression is sucrose-dependent and wild-type roots fully phenocopy
cycd4;1
in sucrose absence. We conclude that
CYCD4;1
links meristem pericycle cell behavior to LR density consistent with a basal meristem prepatterning model and that D-type cyclins can confer division potential of defined cell types through cell-specific expression patterns.
Topography and physiology of ascending streams in the auditory tectothalamic pathway
Authors: Lee Charles C. , Sherman S. Murray
Published: December 2009

Auditory information is relayed from the cochlea along parallel pathways and reaches the inferior colliculus (IC) and the medial geniculate body (MGB) en route to the cortex. Although the ascending tectothalamic pathway to the ventral division of the MGB is regarded as a high-fidelity information-bearing channel, the roles of the pathways to the dorsal and medial divisions are more opaque. Here, we show fundamental differences between these ascending pathways using an in vitro slice preparation. Using photostimulation, we found three main patterns of input (excitatory, inhibitory, and mixed) that differed in each pathway. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of the central nucleus of the IC evoked a depressing response in the MGB with no metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor component, whereas stimulation of the lateral cortex of the IC evoked a facilitating response with an mGlu receptor component. These data suggest that the ascending tectothalamic pathways are functionally distinct from one another.
Optical single-channel resolution imaging of the ryanodine receptor distribution in rat cardiac myocytes
Authors: Baddeley David , Jayasinghe Izzy , Lam Leo , Rossberger Sabrina , Cannell Mark B. , Soeller Christian
Published: December 2009

We have applied an optical super-resolution technique based on single-molecule localization to examine the peripheral distribution of a cardiac signaling protein, the ryanodine receptor (RyR), in rat ventricular myocytes. RyRs form clusters with a mean size of approximately 14 RyRs per cluster, which is almost an order of magnitude smaller than previously estimated. Clusters were typically not circular (as previously assumed) but elongated with an average aspect ratio of 1.9. Edge-to-edge distances between adjacent RyR clusters were often <50 nm, suggesting that peripheral RyR clusters may exhibit strong intercluster signaling. The wide variation of cluster size, which follows a near-exponential distribution, is compatible with a stochastic cluster assembly process. We suggest that calcium sparks may be the result of the concerted activation of several RyR clusters forming a functional “supercluster” whose gating is controlled by both cytosolic and sarcoplasmic reticulum luminal calcium levels.
Distributions of observed death tolls govern sensitivity to human fatalities
Authors: Olivola Christopher Y. , Sagara Namika
Published: December 2009

How we react to humanitarian crises, epidemics, and other tragic events involving the loss of human lives depends largely on the extent to which we are moved by the size of their associated death tolls. Many studies have demonstrated that people generally exhibit a diminishing sensitivity to the number of human fatalities and, equivalently, a preference for risky (vs. sure) alternatives in decisions under risk involving human losses. However, the reason for this tendency remains unknown. Here we show that the distributions of event-related death tolls that people observe govern their evaluations of, and risk preferences concerning, human fatalities. In particular, we show that our diminishing sensitivity to human fatalities follows from the fact that these death tolls are approximately power-law distributed. We further show that, by manipulating the distribution of mortality-related events that people observe, we can alter their risk preferences in decisions involving fatalities. Finally, we show that the tendency to be risk-seeking in mortality-related decisions is lower in countries in which high-mortality events are more frequently observed. Our results support a model of magnitude evaluation based on memory sampling and relative judgment. This model departs from the utility-based approaches typically encountered in psychology and economics in that it does not rely on stable, underlying value representations to explain valuation and choice, or on choice behavior to derive value functions. Instead, preferences concerning human fatalities emerge spontaneously from the distributions of sampled events and the relative nature of the evaluation process.
The SAH domain extends the functional length of the myosin lever
Authors: Baboolal Thomas G. , Sakamoto Takeshi , Forgacs Eva , White Howard D. , Jackson Scott M. , Takagi Yasuharu , Farrow Rachel E. , Molloy Justin E. , Knight Peter J. , Sellers James R. , Peckham Michelle
Published: December 2009

Stable, single alpha-helix (SAH) domains are widely distributed in the proteome, including in myosins, but their functions are unknown. To test whether SAH domains can act as levers, we replaced four of the six calmodulin-binding IQ motifs in the levers of mouse myosin 5a (Myo5) with the putative SAH domain of
Dictyostelium
myosin MyoM of similar length. The SAH domain was inserted between the IQ motifs and the coiled coil in a Myo5 HMM construct in which the levers were truncated from six to two IQ motifs (Myo5–2IQ). Electron microscopy of this chimera (Myo5–2IQ-SAH) showed the SAH domain was straight and 17 nm long as predicted, restoring the truncated lever to the length of wild-type (Myo5–6IQ). The powerstroke (of 21.5 nm) measured in the optical trap was slightly less than that for Myo5–6IQ but much greater than for Myo5–2IQ. Myo5–2IQ-SAH moved processively along actin at physiological ATP concentrations with similar stride and run lengths to Myo5–6IQ in in-vitro single molecule assays. In comparison, Myo5–2IQ is not processive under these conditions. Solution biochemical experiments indicated that the rear head did not mechanically gate the rate of ADP release from the lead head, unlike Myo5–6IQ. These data show that the SAH domain can form part of a functional lever in myosins, although its mechanical stiffness might be lower. More generally, we conclude that SAH domains can act as stiff structural extensions in aqueous solution and this structural role may be important in other proteins.
Innovative Clinical Addiction Research Training Track in Preventive Medicine
Authors: Foley Mary E. , Garland Elizabeth , Stimmel Barry , Merino Rolando
Published: December 2009

Medical education related to identification, diagnosis and management of alcohol and other drug problems receives inadequate attention in the undergraduate curriculum and during residency training. This article describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a new track in Clinical Addiction Research Training (CART) in a General Preventive Medicine (GPM) residency program. CART is comprised of a new course in Addiction Medicine, new practicum sites in addiction medicine research and treatment, and a CART‐designated resident. An Advisory Group of educators, researchers, scholars, and administrators in addiction medicine, has provided guidance and support for this new track. Evaluation of the CART track suggested improvements in residents’ knowledge and attitudes. Residents engaged in high caliber clinical addiction research projects. The development of the CART track within the GPM residency is an approach that can be integrated into other specialties, such as internal medicine, family practice, and adolescent medicine, to develop residents’ interest and expertise in the addictive behaviors.
Mortality 5 Years after Detoxification and Counseling as Indicated by Psychometric Tests
Authors: Berg John E. , Andersen Steinar
Published: December 2009

Residential detoxification of substance abusers, using medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, often fails to ensure further abstention and predict which clients have the greatest risk of morbidity after detoxification. Prolonging the detoxification period with a counseling period has been shown to enhance compliance to counseling. Sixty–one (61) substance abusers (mean age: 31.3 years; 22 women) with a mean length of abuse of 16 years in 1993–1994 were tested using two psychometric tests and then followed up in 1999 according to mortality. Mean value on Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale was 2.98 and on Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL–24) was 2.06, indicating postdetoxification coping problems and distress. Thirteen (13) abusers died during follow–up. Cox regression of mortality showed increased risk in men, and also an increased risk of dying in the observation period with lower SOC scoe (p < .01), but not with increasing HSCL–24 score: Logistic regression indicated a 3.6 times higher risk of dying in the observation period if the SOC score was 1 point lower (on a scale range from 1 to 5). An increased mortality in drug addicts leaving the facility with an SOC value below 3.00 after a 4–week detoxification and counseling stay is thus strongly supported by the data. Antonovsky ‘s SOC scale thus seems to be a good indicator of future mortality.
Investigating Gender Convergence in Alcohol Consumption in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland: A Repeated Survey Analysis
Authors: Bloomfield Kim , Gmel Gerhard , Neve Rudie , Mustonen Heli
Published: December 2009

Since the 1970s there has been concern that women may have started to adopt the drinking behaviors of men, a process seen as the result of emancipation in which women increasingly move into professions and/or lifestyles similar to those of men. This is called the convergence hypothesis. The present analysis investigated a possible closing of the gender gap and includes four countries that had national survey data for at least two time points: Finland (1984, 1992), Germany (1984, 1990), The Netherlands (1981, 1989), and Switzerland (1987, 1992). Significant convergence could be found only in Finland, which consisted of a greater increase of Finnish women becoming current drinkers and of a greater relative increase in the women's mean consumption. The fact that gender convergence was found only for Finland could be due not only to the longer observation period, but also to the egalitarian position of women and the changing drinking culture of the country.
Alcohol–Related Mortality in Europe: A Tentative Analysis from the EU Project “Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Problems among Women in European Countries”
Authors: Cipriani Francesco , Landucci Sandro , Bloonifield Kim
Published: December 2009

Mortality data were collected for eight of the nine study countries in the BIOMED–II concerted action “Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Problems among Women in European Countries”;: Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom (Scotland), Sweden, and Switzerland. An analysis of mortality that is limited to causes of death that are fully attributable to alcohol (DAA) results in a large underestimation of alcohol–related mortality (ARM) rates in all study countries and especially among females. These estimates can be improved by including an analysis of selected causes of death that are indirectly attributable to alcohol. This produces geographic and time–trend variability of ARM rates that are more congruent with alcohol drinking levels and trends. From this study, it is evident that when German data are analyzed separately for the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the former Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), two distinct ARM patterns result. The authors underline methodologic limits of this study and recommend procedures for a more reliable calculation of European ARM estimates.