bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetic roughening and mound surface growth in microcrystalline silicon thin films
Authors: Liu Fengzhen , Li Chaowei , Zhu Meifang , Gu Jinhua , Zhou Yuqin
Published: January 2010

The roughening evolution of the hydrogenated microcrys‐talline silicon (μc‐Si:H) film by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and hot wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is found that the kinetic roughening of the μc‐Si:H film surface can not be described by the traditional dynamic scaling approach. The appearance of characteristic peaks in the power spectral density (PSD) curves, calculated from the AFM images, indicates the mounded growth characteristic of μc‐Si:H film. The correlation between the mounded surface growth of μc‐Si:H thin films and the shadowing effect has been studied. It is found that high hydrogen dilution ratio in the early growth stage retards the formation of the mound structure (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic properties of diamond‐like carbon films modified by silver nanoclusters
Authors: Sarsembinov Sh. Sh. , Prikhodko O. Yu. , Ryaguzov A. P. , Maksimova S. Ya. , Daineko Ye. A. , Mahmoud F. A.
Published: January 2010

The results of electronic properties and microstructure investigations in amorphous diamond like carbon films (a‐C:H) containing different concentrations of silver impurity are presented. The films were prepared by the combined graphite‐silver target sputtering in the atmosphere of argon‐hydrogen plasma. By the method of transmission electron microscopy it was established that Ag was embedded in the matrix of a‐C:H as isolated spherical shape nanoclusters. The average size of the nanoclusters was grown from 2 to 8 nm when silver concentration was ranged from 1 to 20 at.%, respectively. The resonance optical absorption at ∼ 420 nm was revealed in the films. The dependence of films conductivity on Ag content is typical of percolation systems (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural and defect changes of hydrogenated SiGe films due to annealing up to 600°C
Authors: Sládek Petr , Buršíková Vilma , St'ahel Pavel
Published: January 2010

In order to better understand the effects of the hydrogen incorporation on the defects and the disorder in the undoped nano/microcrystalline SiGe:H, we performed a comparative study on samples deposited under different plasma conditions. With variation of the pressure, we were able to change the structure of SiGe:H films. We have used the combination of the infrared spectroscopy, CPM, PDS and thermal desorption measurements to study the thermal dependence of defect density, disorder, as well as hydrogen concentration. The film mechanical properties were tested by depth sensing indentation technique. The results showing a different hydrogen bonding with the change of deposition conditions are interpreted as a whole by terms of the specific local hydrogen bonding environment, related to different growth mechanism. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
CuxSnSx+1 (x = 2, 3) thin films grown by sulfurization of metallic precursors deposited by dc magnetron sputtering
Authors: Fernandes P. A. , Salomé P. M. P. , da Cunha A. F.
Published: January 2010

We report the results of the growth of Cu‐Sn‐S ternary chalcogenide compounds by sulfurization of dc magnetron sputtered metallic precursors. Tetragonal Cu2SnS3 forms for a maximum sulfurization temperature of 350 °C. Cubic Cu2SnS3 is obtained at sulfurization temperatures above 400 °C. These results are supported by XRD analysis and Raman spectroscopy measurements. The latter analysis shows peaks at 336 cm‐1, 351 cm‐1 for tetragonal Cu2SnS3, and 303 cm‐1, 355 cm‐1 for cubic Cu2SnS3. Optical analysis shows that this phase change lowers the band gap from 1.35 eV to 0.98 eV. At higher sulfurization temperatures increased loss of Sn is expected in the sulphide form. As a consequence, higher Cu content ternary compounds like Cu3SnS4 grow. In these conditions, XRD and Raman analysis only detected orthorhombic (Pmn21) phase (petrukite). This compound has Raman peaks at 318 cm‐1, 348 cm‐1 and 295 cm‐1. For a sulfurization temperature of 450 °C the samples present a multi‐phase structure mainly composed by cubic Cu2SnS3 and orthorhombic (Pmn21) Cu3SnS4. For higher temperatures, the samples are single phase and constituted by orthorhombic (Pmn21) Cu3SnS4. Transmittance and reflectance measurements were used to estimate a band gap of 1.60 eV. For comparison we also include the results for Cu2ZnSnS4 obtained using similar growth conditions. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dynamics of principal photoinduced effects in amorphous chalcogenides: In‐situ simultaneous measurements of photodarkening, volume changes, and defect creation
Authors: Nakagawa N. , Shimakawa K. , Itoh T. , Ikeda Y.
Published: January 2010

To understand the direct relation among photodarkening (PD), photoinduced volume change (PVC), and photoinduced defect creation (PDC), we perform in‐situ simultaneous measurements of all three phenomena, i.e. optical absorption coefficient (for PD), surface height (for PVC), and photocurrent which monitors PDC, in amorphous As2Se3 films. The time evolution of PDC during light excitation is empirically described by a stretched exponential function: 1 ‐ exp[‐(t /τ)β], where τ is the effective response time and β (< 1.0) the dispersion parameter, while we have found that the PVC and PD were essentially given by a simple exponential function (β = 1). The value of τ for the PDC is very much smaller than those for the PVC and PD. As the time evolutions for all three phenomena are independent of each others, there may be no direct relationship among them. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Vertical modeling: A pattern mixture approach for competing risks modeling
Authors: Nicolaie, M. A. , van Houwelingen Hans C. , Putter H.
Published: January 2010

We study an alternative approach for estimation in the competing risks framework, called vertical modeling. It is motivated by a decomposition of the joint distribution of time and cause of failure. The two elements of this decomposition are (1) the time of failure and (2) the cause of failure condition on time of failure. Both elements of the model are based on observable quantities, namely the total hazard and the relative cause‐specific hazards. The model can be implemented using the standard software. The relative cause‐specific hazards are flexibly estimated using multinomial logistic regression and smoothing splines. We show estimates of cumulative incidences from vertical modeling to be more efficient statistically than those obtained from the standard nonparametric model. We illustrate our methods using data of 8966 leukemia patients from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peer ratings of chronic stress: can spouses and friends provide reliable and valid assessments of a target person's level of chronic stress?
Authors: Kromm Walter , Gadinger Michael C. , Schneider Sven
Published: January 2010

The aim of this study was to determine whether spouses and friends could provide reliable ratings and discriminate between different sources of chronic stress as experienced by a target person. Further, this study assessed the convergence of self‐ and observer ratings of chronic stress. The target persons were 384 executives from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Observer ratings were obtained from 275 spouses and 127 friends of the executives. The results imply that both spouses and friends can provide reliable ratings of different sources of chronic stress, which are equivalent to the reliabilities observed in the executives' self‐reports. Two independent factor analyses suggested that the spouses and friends were able to discriminate between the eight distinct sources of chronic stress proposed by the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress. Convergent validities within the pairs executive–friend (range: 0.30–0.57) and executive–spouse (0.30–0.54) were all significant and indicate good self‐observer agreement in ratings of chronic stress. Generally, stress scales capturing work‐related chronic stress were found to yield higher convergent validities than scales assessing chronic stress due to social events. The results of this study imply that chronic stress can be validly assessed by well‐acquainted peers and spouses. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐phase trace‐driven simulation (TPTS): a fast multicore processor architecture simulation approach
Authors: Lee Hyunjin , Jin Lei , Lee Kiyeon , Demetriades Socrates , Moeng Michael , Cho Sangyeun
Published: January 2010

Simulation is indispensable in computer architecture research. Researchers increasingly resort to detailed architecture simulators to identify performance bottlenecks, analyze interactions among different hardware and software components, and measure the impact of new design ideas on the system performance. However, the slow speed of conventional execution‐driven architecture simulators is a serious impediment to obtaining desirable research productivity. This paper describes a novel fast multicore processor architecture simulation framework calledTwo‐Phase Trace‐driven Simulation(TPTS), which splits detailed timing simulation into a trace generation phase and a trace simulation phase. Much of the simulation overhead caused by uninteresting architectural events is only incurred once during the cycle‐accurate simulation‐based trace generation phase and can be omitted in the repeated trace‐driven simulations. We report our experiences withtsim, an event‐driven multicore processor architecture simulator that models detailed memory hierarchy, interconnect, and coherence protocol based on the TPTS framework. By applying aggressive event filtering,tsimachieves an impressive simulation speed of 146 millions of simulated instructions per second, when running 16‐thread parallel applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐adaptation of service level in distributed systems
Authors: Philippe Jeremy , De Palma Noel , Boyer Fabienne , Gruber et Olivier
Published: January 2010

Modern distributed systems are diverse and dynamic, and consequently difficult to manage using traditional approaches, which rely on an extensive initial knowledge of the system. On the performance front, these systems often offer multiple opportunities for dynamically degrading or improving service level based on workload intensity, to avoid overload and underload. In this context, we propose a novel approach for building distributed systems capable of autonomously deciding when and how to adapt service level. Our approach limits the knowledge that must be provided manually to a component‐based representation of the system. From this representation, we build and maintain a performance profile, which allows us to (1) identify the most promising adaptations based on workload type and (2) dynamically characterize the intrinsic efficiency of each adaptation based on past attempts. We have successfully implemented and evaluated a prototype of our approach in the context of multi‐tiered application servers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inclusions Generated during Ingot Casting of Tool Steel
Authors: Ragnarsson L. , Sichen D.
Published: January 2010

An industrial trial study was carried out at Uddeholm Tooling AB, Sweden, to investigate the mechanisms of the formation of inclusions, especially macro inclusions during ingot casting. Strong evidence of reoxidation was observed. Two types of inclusions generated during casting were detected in the ingot. Inclusions of Type C1 originated from mould powder with reoxidation product Al2O3 as a part of it. Inclusions of this type were usually small. The number of Type C1 inclusions increased from the centre of the ingot toward the side wall of the mould. Type C2 inclusions were macro size. They could be the results of reoxidation and erosion of runner.
Kinetics of Precipitation in a Complex Hot‐work Tool Steel
Authors: Sonderegger B. , Kozeschnik E. , Leitner H. , Clemens H. , Svoboda J. , Fischer F. D. , Staron P.
Published: January 2010

Recently, a novel model has been developed for simulation of the evolution of spherical precipitates in multi‐component, multi‐phase systems. Contrary to classical approaches, the kinetic model scales linearly with the complexity of the system and it is, thus, particularly suitable for complex industrial applications. In the present paper, features and capabilities of the new approach are demonstrated on the example of the heat treatment and thermal ageing of an industrial tool steel. The model predictions are compared to comprehensive experimental data. Model performance, predictive capabilities and limitations are discussed.
Activities of FexO in CaO‐(Na2O)0.1875(K2O)0.0625(Al2O3)0.25(SiO2)0.5‐FexO Pseudo‐Ternary Slags
Authors: Ozawa H. , Hasegawa M. , Kashiwaya Y. , Iwase M.
Published: January 2010

Activities of FexO in CaO‐(Na2O)0.1875(K2O)0.0625(Al2O3)0.25(SiO2)0.5‐FexO pseudo‐ternary slags were determined at 1673K by using a solid‐oxide galvanic cell;

The substitution of (Na2O)0.1875(K2O)0.0625(Al2O3)0.25(SiO2)0.5 for CaO has an effect of raising the FexO activities.
Use of Computational Thermodynamic Calculations in Studying the Slag/Steel Equilibrium during Vacuum Degassing
Authors: Doostmohammadi H. , Andersson M. , Karasev A. , Jönsson P.G.
Published: January 2010

The effectiveness of a ladle refining process for production of tool steel with focus on the top slag is studied using computational thermodynamic calculations. The theoretical assessment was based on compositional data of steel and slag samples collected during trials in a plant equipped with a 65‐t EAF, a ladle furnace and a vacuum degasser. The calculation of slag‐metal equilibrium during ladle treatment was performed for top slag excluding (Case A) and including (Case B) slag carryover and deoxidation products. The predictions showed that slag carryover and deoxidation products in the ladle significantly affect the composition of the top slag. Thus, these conditions must be taken into consideration when predicting the actual top slag composition. It was also found that it is possible to predict the final aluminium and sulphur content in steel based on the same calculation approach.
Testing coupling relationships in object‐oriented programs
Authors: Alexander Roger T. , Offutt Jeff , Stefik Andreas
Published: January 2010

As we move toward developing object‐oriented (OO) programs, the complexity traditionally found in functions and procedures is moving to the connections among components. Different faults occur when components are integrated to form higher‐level structures that aggregate the behavior and state. Consequently, we need to place more effort on testing the connections among components. Although OO technologies provide abstraction mechanisms for building components that can then be integrated to form applications, it also adds new compositional relations that can contain faults. This paper describes techniques for analyzing and testing the polymorphic relationships that occur in OO software. The techniques adapt traditional data flow coverage criteria to consider definitions and uses among state variables of classes, particularly in the presence of inheritance, dynamic binding, and polymorphic overriding of state variables and methods. The application of these techniques can result in an increased ability to find faults and to create an overall higher quality software. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of feeding raw or extruded feline diets on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen metabolism of African wildcats (Felis lybica)
Authors: Vester Brittany M. , Burke Sarah L. , Liu Kari J. , Dikeman Cheryl L. , Simmons Lee G. , Swanson Kelly S.
Published: January 2010

The African wildcat is one of the closest ancestors to the domestic cat and is believed to have similar nutrient requirements, but research is lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding a high‐protein extruded kibble diet vs. a raw meat diet on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, and blood metabolite concentrations in African wildcats. Five wildcats were randomized onto either a high‐protein (>50% crude protein) extruded kibble diet or a raw meat diet. The study was executed as a crossover design, with 21‐d periods, consisting of a 16‐d adaptation phase followed by a 4‐d total fecal and urine collection phase. Cats were housed individually in metabolism cages and fed to maintain body weight (BW). A fresh fecal sample was collected for short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) and branched‐chain fatty acid (BCFA) analyses. Blood was analyzed for serum chemistry and leptin concentration. Food intake (as is) did not differ (P>0.05) between diets. Food intake and fecal output (g/d DMB) were greater (P<0.05) when cats consumed the kibble diet. Protein digestibility was higher (P<0.05) when cats were fed the raw meat diet vs. the kibble diet. Nitrogen intake was greater (P<0.05) when cats consumed the kibble diet, and more (P<0.05) nitrogen was present in the feces; however, the percentage of nitrogen retained and nitrogen balance did not differ (P>0.05). Fecal scores, ammonia, SCFA, and BCFA concentrations did not differ (P>0.05) between diets. Fecal butyrate molar ratio was higher (P<0.01) when cats consumed the kibble diet. Blood analyses demonstrated few differences between diets, but alanine aminotransferase activity and bicarbonate were higher (P<0.05) when cats consumed the commercial raw meat diet. Owing to lack of differences, these data indicate that African wildcats can readily utilize a high protein extruded kibble diet, and may be able to replace a commercial raw meat diet. Zoo Biol 29:676–686, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tool‐like behavior in the sixbar wrasse, Thalassoma hardwicke (Bennett, 1830)
Authors: Paśko Łukasz
Published: January 2010

There are only a few documented cases of the use of either tools or substrates (anvils) as pseudotools in fishes. Described here is an anvil behavior of a labrid fish, Thalassoma hardwicke, observed under aquarium conditions. This fish was fed with pellets that are too large to swallow and too hard to break up into manageable bits using jaws only. The observed individual carried a pellet to an anvil to break it up into pieces small enough to be swallowed. This feeding behavior was frequently repeated (observed in detail about 15 times), nearly always successful, and remarkably consistent, suggesting that the rock selected for an anvil is remembered and its functional qualities or other factors may play a part in its choice. These observations agree with evidence for other advanced cognitive abilities in members of the genus Thalassoma and suggest that, for welfare demand, rocks with rough surfaces should be provided to these fish, especially when they receive hard food for variety. Zoo Biol 29:767–773, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Formation and Growth of Micelles in Dilute Aqueous CTAB Solutions in the Presence of NaNO3 and NaClO3
Authors: Kuperkar Ketan , Abezgauz Ludmila , Prasad Kamlesh , Bahadur P.
Published: January 2010

Self‐assembly of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solution, in the presence of two inorganic salts viz, NaNO3 and NaClO3 was investigated by steady‐state fluorescence, electrical conductance, surface tension, viscosity, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryogenic transmission microscopy (cryo‐TEM). The counterions located at short enough distances to CTA+ micellar surface experience a very strong electrostatic attraction and thus become condensed. This counterion condensation plays a significant role in deciding the effective charge on the micelle, their screening interaction and structural transition of the micelles. In the present work, the probable mechanism of the salts' action in aqueous solution of CTAB is explained. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), area per molecule (Å2), micelle hydrodynamic diameter (Dh), and aggregation number (Nagg) of CTAB micelles in the absence and presence of the salts are reported. The addition of both salts followed the lyotropic series and showed a remarkable decrease in CMC. A detailed investigation of the structural transitions from spherical to rod or even to entangled wormlike structures is presented from cryoTEM.
Synthesis, Characterization and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Rosmarinic Acid Fatty Esters
Authors: Lecomte Jérôme , Giraldo Luis Javier López , Laguerre Mickaël , Baréa Bruno , Villeneuve Pierre
Published: January 2010

The hydrophobation of rosmarinic acid with saturated aliphatic primary alcohols of various chain lengths (methanol to eicosanol) was achieved via an acid‐catalyzed esterification in the presence of a highly acidic sulfonic resin. The resulting alkyl rosmarinates were isolated, characterized and their global free radical scavenging activity was determined by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl method in the stationary state. Only the dodecyl ester showed a stronger activity than rosmarinic acid.
Comments on the rank product method for analyzing replicated experiments
Authors: Koziol James A.
Published: January 2010

Breitling et al. [1] introduced a statistical technique, the rank product method, for detecting differentially regulated genes in replicated microarray experiments. The technique has achieved widespread acceptance and is now used more broadly, in such diverse fields as RNAi analysis, proteomics, and machine learning. In this note, we relate the rank product method to linear rank statistics and provide an alternative derivation of distribution theory attending the rank product method.
The C‐terminal residues of the 2b protein ofCucumber mosaic virusare important for efficient expression inEscherichia coliand DNA‐binding
Authors: Sueda Kae , Shimura Hanako , Meguro Ayano , Uchida Takeshi , Inaba Jun-ichi , Masuta Chikara
Published: January 2010

The RNA silencing suppressor 2b protein ofCucumber mosaic virus(CMV) is difficult to produce inEscherichia coli. We compared two CMV 2b proteins that differ in their toxicity againstE. coliand found that the acidic amino acid residues in the C‐terminal significantly affected the toxicity and expression level of the protein inE. coli. In addition, in a DNA‐binding assay, 2b had the ability to bind to DNA, and this ability was affected by the charge on the C‐terminal residues of 2b. We concluded that the C‐terminal residues were important for 2b's DNA‐binding ability, which may partly explain the toxicity of the protein.
Key Issues in Multichannel Customer Management: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Authors: Neslin Scott A. , Shankar Venkatesh
Published: January 2010

Multichannel customer management is “the design, deployment, and evaluation of channels to enhance customer value through effective customer acquisition, retention, and development” (Neslin, Scott A., D. Grewal, R. Leghorn, V. Shankar, M. L. Teerling, J. S. Thomas, P. C. Verhoef (2006), Challenges and Opportunities in Multichannel Management. Journal of Service Research 9(2) 95–113). Channels typically include the store, the Web, catalog, sales force, third party agency, call center and the like. In recent years, multichannel marketing has grown tremendously and is anticipated to grow even further. While we have developed a good understanding of certain issues such as the relative value of a multichannel customer over a single channel customer, several research and managerial questions still remain. We offer an overview of these emerging issues, present our future outlook, and suggest important avenues for future research.
Online Pricing: Review and Directions for Research
Authors: Ratchford Brian T.
Published: January 2010

The Internet influences prices in two ways: it is a channel for obtaining information, and it is a vehicle for transactions. This paper reviews the literature on the impact of online information on prices, and also reviews the literature on how the features of online markets influence online pricing. The major influences on online pricing that are reviewed are costly and limited search, switching costs, reputation, heterogeneity in search costs, heterogeneity in demand for services, and online–offline competition. Based on this review, suggestions for further research are outlined.
New Communications Approaches in Marketing: Issues and Research Directions
Authors: Winer Russell S.
Published: January 2010

In the early part of the 21st century, the media landscape has been dramatically affected by the introduction of new, largely digital media. This increase in the number of media has been driven largely by improvements in technology and how customers interact with the technology and each other. In this paper, I describe the kinds of new media that companies are using to engage customers and the challenges that these media present from the perspective of the marketing manager. In addition, using the management challenges as a framework, I describe the research opportunities posed by these media and where marketing academics can make the greatest contributions.
Customer Lifetime Value: Empirical Generalizations and Some Conceptual Questions
Authors: Blattberg Robert C. , Malthouse Edward C. , Neslin Scott A.
Published: January 2010

From the extant literature on Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), we identify four empirical generalizations (well-defined, consistent effects found by at least three different sets of authors): customer satisfaction, marketing efforts, cross-buying and multichannel purchasing all have positive relationships with CLV. The frequency and monetary value of previous purchases generally have a positive effect on CLV, although there are some contradictory findings in this regard. We identify additional issues that have received limited attention in the literature, but require further empirical study: the effects of pricing, earned rewards and promotions on CLV, managing a sequence of contacts to maximize response rates and CLV, and whether CLV can be forecasted sufficiently accurately. We also discuss additional conceptual issues that merit further research.
The Moderating Effects of Involvement on the Relationships between Satisfaction, Trust and Commitment in e-Banking
Authors: Sanchez-Franco Manuel J.
Published: January 2010

Most prior research into customer loyalty emphasizes the effects of the dimensions of online satisfaction and trust. However, research into how customer involvement moderates this relationship model – in the online environment – has been less than conclusive. On the basis of a satisfaction–trust–commitment model, and given that involvement is a significant precondition to customer loyalty, this paper explores the interaction effects of customer involvement on the evaluation of e-banking services.

Empirical results were collected from an online survey in electronic financial forums, Usenet and mailing lists. Partial Least Squares (PLS) was used to estimate the parameters of the interaction effects model.

The results support most of the hypotheses and, in particular, confirm the moderating role of customer involvement. The influence of online satisfaction on commitment was significantly stronger for highly involved users; conversely, the effect of satisfaction on trust was weaker. However, customer trust had a stronger effect on commitment for customers with high purchase involvement, and a weaker effect for highly ego-involved customers. The interaction role of customer involvement thus offers a more complete view of the satisfaction–trust–commitment model, providing an initial test of the efficacy of using involvement to understand online decisions. Implications for online marketing management and future research in this area are discussed.
Factors Influencing Consumer Acceptance of Mobile Marketing: A Two-Country Study of Youth Markets
Authors: Sultan Fareena , Rohm Andrew J. , Gao Tao (Tony)
Published: January 2010

The purpose of this study is to examine factors affecting consumers’ acceptance of mobile marketing across two global markets. Drawing upon technology acceptance and uses and gratifications theories, we develop and estimate a conceptual model of the influences of antecedent factors (including risk acceptance related to the mobile platform and personal attachment related to mobile devices) on behavioral intent related to mobile marketing practice. We further propose that the above relationships are mediated by activities that consumers engage in such as downloading, forwarding content and registering with firms. Focusing on youth consumers, we empirically test the model using data collected in both an established (U.S.) and an emerging market (Pakistan). Findings across these two markets reflect cross-market similarities and differences related to consumer acceptance factors. We draw implications from these findings related to both theory and practice.
Crop sequences, nitrogen fertilizer and grazing intensity in relation to wheat yields in rainfed systems
Authors: RYAN J. , SINGH M. , PALA M. , MAKHBOUL R. , MASRI S. , HARRIS H. C. , SOMMER R.
Published: January 2010

The Mediterranean region is experiencing unrelenting land-use pressure, largely driven by population growth. Long-term cropping system trials can guide crop and soil management options that are biophysically and economically sustainable. Thus, an extensive cereal-based rotation trial (1983–98) was established in northern Syria, to assess various two-course rotations with durum wheat (Triticum turgidumDesf.). The alternative rotations were: continuous wheat, fallow, chickpea (Cicer arietinum), lentil (Lens culinaris), medic (Medicagospp.), vetch (Vicia sativa) and watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) as a summer crop. Ancillary treatments were: nitrogen (N) fertilizer application to the cereal phase (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha) and variable stubble grazing management (zero or stubble retention, moderate and heavy grazing). Both phases of the rotation trial occurred each year. The soil is a fine clay, thermic Calcixerollic Xerochrept. Seasonal rainfall was the dominant factor in influencing overall yields. Rotations significantly influenced yields, being highest for fallow (2·43 t/ha), followed by watermelon (similar to fallow), vetch, lentil, medic and chickpea, and least for continuous wheat (1·08 t/ha). Overall, yields increased consistently with added N, but responses varied with the rotation. The various stubble grazing regimes had little or no effect on either grain or straw yields. While the trial confirmed the value of fallow and the drawbacks of continuous cereal cropping, it also showed that replacing either practice with chickpea or lentil, or vetch for animal feed, was potentially a viable option. Given favourable economics, legume-based rotations for food and forage could contribute to sustainable cropping throughout the Mediterranean region.
A note on the electrical potential distribution around a test charge in anisotropic collisional plasmas
Authors: CHAUDHURI M. , KHRAPAK S. A. , MORFILL G. E.
Published: January 2010

In this paper, we discuss recent results concerning the electrical potential distribution around a small test charged particle in weakly ionized collisional plasmas in the presence of an ion flow. The effect of plasma absorption on the particle surface is taken into account and the results are compared with those from earlier models neglecting absorption. In the considered regime, the effect of plasma absorption is quite important and completely determines the long-range asymptote of the electrical potential.
Transformer recharging with alpha channeling in tokamaks
Authors: FISCH N. J.
Published: January 2010

Transformer recharging with lower hybrid waves in tokamaks can give low average auxiliary power if the resistivity is kept high enough during the radio frequency recharging stage. At the same time, operation in the hot ion mode via alpha channeling increases the effective fusion reactivity. This paper addresses the extent to which these two large cost-saving steps are compatible.
Low-frequency electrostatic defect mode in doped pair-ion plasmas
Authors: KOURAKIS I. , SAINI N. S.
Published: January 2010

The nonlinear amplitude modulation dynamics of electrostatic oscillations of massive charged defects in a three-component pair plasma is investigated, i.e. doped pair-ion plasmas (anticipating the injection of a massive charged component in the background, e.g. in fullerene experiments). Ion-acoustic oscillations in electron-positron-ion (e-p-i) plasmas are also covered, in the appropriate limit. Linear and nonlinear effects (MI, envelope modes) are discussed. The role of the temperature and density ratio between the pair species is stressed.
Demographic structure and abundance of Asiatic lionsPanthera leo persicain Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat, India
Authors: Banerjee Kausik , Jhala Yadvendradev V. , Pathak Bharat
Published: January 2010

Asiatic lionsPanthera leo persica, once confined to the 1,883 km2Gir Protected Area in Gujarat, India, have in the past 2 decades colonized the adjacent Girnar forest, coastal scrub and agro-pastoral areas covering c. 10,000 km2. In May 2008 the Government of Gujarat declared 180 km2of the sacred Girnar forests a Wildlife Sanctuary. We obtained data on location, age, gender and group composition of lions in Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary from opportunistic sightings during March–May 2008 and from systematic surveys in April 2008 (six surveys of 3–4 days each), totalling 81 lions on 40 occasions. Of the 81 sightings 43% were in the recruitment age group. Adult sex ratio was 0.87 males : 1 female. In the systematic survey we made 26 sightings of nine individuals, identified from their vibrissae patterns and permanent body markings, and used these for population estimation using a capture–recapture analysis. The population estimate using the best fit null model Mowas 10 ± SE 1.2 giving an adult lion density of 5.6 ± SE 0.7 per 100 km2. Population viability analysis emphasized the importance of immigrants for the persistence of this small population. One immigrant in 2 years reduced the probability of extinction by 16%. Conservation of the habitat matrix to the south-east of the Sanctuary, used as a corridor for movement between Girnar and Gir, by declaring it an eco-sensitive zone would facilitate the long-term survival of the Girnar lion population.
What is Asian security architecture?
Authors: TOW WILLIAM T. , TAYLOR BRENDAN
Published: January 2010

‘Architecture’ has emerged as the new catchphrase in Asian security politics. Despite its growing centrality, insufficient attention has thus far been given to defining the term, often leading to its imprecise usage. This article seeks to redress that shortcoming. It reviews the ways in which various scholars and practitioners have employed the term ‘security architecture’ and highlights the anomalies that their often differing employment has created. The article proposes a set of guidelines to aid conceptualisation and application of the term. In so doing it establishes criteria to ascertain what ‘security architecture’ actually exists in the Asian region, and must ultimately exist to assure regional security.
Why discourse matters only sometimes: effective arguing beyond the nation-state
Authors: PANKE DIANA
Published: January 2010

Pre- and post-agreement discourses are an integral part of international relations. Yet, they only matter sometimes as an empirical analysis of European judicial discourses shows. State of the art Habermasisan and social psychology approaches on effective arguing cannot sufficiently explain variation in the success of discourses. This requires a fine-grained perspective: Only if actors share yardsticks fitting to the issue at stake, they can commonly assess the quality of arguments and incrementally develop a consensus. If such issue-specific reference standards are absent, actors talk at cross-purposes and dissent prevails. The article empirically illustrates the importance of intersubjective validity for the effectiveness of discourses and tests its central claim against alternative constructivist and rationalist explanations.
Simultaneous operation of X band gigawatt level high power microwaves
Authors: Li Guolin , Shu Ting , Yuan Chengwei , Zhu Jun , Liu Jing , Wang Bing , Zhang Jun
Published: January 2010

As the pulse power and high power microwave source technologies gradually matured, technologies for enhancing the output capacities of high power microwaves are becoming more and more attractive. In this paper, two different methods for the increasing of X band microwave powers are discussed: diplexers based on microwave filter and photonic crystal. For the case of diplexer based on microwave filter, the dual channel X band microwaves transmit through the filters with high efficiencies, the polarization and radiation directions for the microwaves are the same. With the application of metal photonic crystal, the reflection and transmission of TE/TM polarized X band microwaves are realized simultaneously; thus, the dual channel microwaves have the same radiation direction. A pulse of 25 ns, 3.9 GW has been successfully obtained. However, according to the experimental results, the internal breakdown in these devices limits their power handling capacities when the peak power and pulse duration of the microwaves increase. In the end, several methods for enhancing the power handling capacities the diplexer have been proposed.
Measurements of angle-of-arrival fluctuations over an 11.8 km urban path
Authors: Du Wenhe , Tan Liying , Ma Jing , Yu Siyuan , Jiang Yijun
Published: January 2010

A laser transmission experiment is conducted to examine atmospheric turbulence-induced angle-of-arrival fluctuations over an 11.8 km urban path. The variance of fluctuations, probability density function, power spectrum, and Fried coherence length are investigated based on the analysis of the experimental data collected in each season of a year, respectively. In addition, the daily variations characteristic of path-averaged optical turbulence intensity Cn2 is also studied. At last, the aperture averaging theory is validated. It is anticipated that this work is helpful to the research of optical wave atmospheric propagation and the design of free-space laser optics communication systems.
Risk factor analysis for pneumococcal meningitis in adults with invasive pneumococcal infection
Authors: BURCKHARDT I. , BURCKHARDT F. , VAN DER LINDEN M. , HEEG C. , REINERT R. R.
Published: January 2010

Pneumococcal meningitis is a subgroup of invasive pneumococcal disease with a case-fatality rate of up to 30% and long-term sequelae in more than 50% of cases in adults in developed countries. We aimed to determine risk factors for this particular form of pneumococcal disease. We conducted a prospective population-based laboratory study of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults in North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany from February 2001 to August 2006. All isolates underwent serotyping and susceptibility testing at the National Reference Centre for Streptococci in Aachen, Germany. Data were analysed using multiple linear regression. A total of 1043 isolates from bacteraemia and 131 isolates from meningitis were included into the study. Serotype 23F and being female were independent risk factors for pneumococcal meningitis. Being ⩾60 years and serotype 1 were associated with a reduced odds ratio. Season, penicillin and macrolide resistance were not statistically associated with CNS involvement.
Sumset and Inverse Sumset Theory for Shannon Entropy
Authors: TAO TERENCE
Published: January 2010

Let G = (G, +) be an additive group. The sumset theory of Plünnecke and Ruzsa gives several relations between the size of sumsets A + B of finite sets A, B, and related objects such as iterated sumsets kA and difference sets A − B, while the inverse sumset theory of Freiman, Ruzsa, and others characterizes those finite sets A for which A + A is small. In this paper we establish analogous results in which the finite set A ⊂ G is replaced by a discrete random variable X taking values in G, and the cardinality |A| is replaced by the Shannon entropy H(X). In particular, we classify those random variables X which have small doubling in the sense that H(X1 + X2) = H(X) + O(1) when X1, X2 are independent copies of X, by showing that they factorize as X = U + Z, where U is uniformly distributed on a coset progression of bounded rank, and H(Z) = O(1).

When G is torsion-free, we also establish the sharp lower bound $\Ent(X+X) \geq \Ent(X) + \frac{1}{2} \log 2 - o(1)$, where o(1) goes to zero as H(X) → ∞.
REAL THETA CHARACTERISTICS AND AUTOMORPHISMS OF A REAL CURVE
Authors: BISWAS INDRANIL , GADGIL SIDDHARTHA
Published: January 2010

Let X be a geometrically irreducible smooth projective curve defined over ℝ, of genus at least 2, that admits a nontrivial automorphism, σ. Assume that X does not have any real points. Let τ be the antiholomorphic involution of the complexification xℂ of X. We show that if the action of σ on the set 𝒮(X) of all real theta characteristics of X is trivial, then the order of σ is even, say 2k, and the automorphism $\tau \circ \widehat {\sigma }^k$ of Xℂ has a fixed point, where $\widehat {\sigma }^k$ is the automorphism of X×ℝℂ defined by σ. We then show that there exists X with a real point and admitting a nontrivial automorphism σ, such that the action of σ on 𝒮(X) is trivial, while X/〈σ〉≠ℙ1ℝ. We also give an example of X with no real points and admitting a nontrivial automorphism σ, such that the automorphism $\tau \circ \widehat {\sigma }^k$ has a fixed point, the action of σ on 𝒮(X) is trivial, and X/〈σ〉≠ℙ1ℝ.
VOCAL RIPIENISTS AND J. S. BACH'S MASS IN B MINOR
Authors: PARROTT ANDREW
Published: January 2010

Despite its apparent lack of an early performance history, the Mass in B minor proves fertile ground for an investigation of J. S. Bach's expectations of choral performance, not merely on account of the work's sheer number of choruses but because of their individual origins and stylistic diversity. By systematically exploring each movement with an understanding of how eighteenth-century vocal concertists and ripienists traditionally functioned, we may be better placed to assess whether or not this ‘great’ work carries any implications of vocal forces that are exceptionally ‘great’ (numerically) in Bach's terms. Key underlying strands of argument concerning the size and distribution of Bach's choir are reviewed in an Appendix, alongside newly introduced items of evidence.
Is conventional agricultural research fit for the purpose of supporting ecological agriculture? A case study of an attempted transition in Sweden
Authors: Eksvärd Karin
Published: January 2010

In order to increase ecological horticulture in Sweden, it is necessary to increase productivity while reducing working hours. To improve the relevance of research results as a base for such transitions, a Participatory Learning and Action Research (PLAR) group was added to a conventional research project that aimed to find options for using green manure as a multifunctional tool in vegetable production. The project consisted of four work packages looking at different aspects of a system of interest defined by researchers. The PLAR group sought to evaluate the agronomic outcome of the conventional research outputs but came to add qualitative experience of using the different manuring methods tried. The article reports on the evaluation of the PLAR activities as well as on issues of cooperation and understanding The difficulties and constrains that arose revealed the limitations of conventional research as a means for supporting ecological horticulture transitions, but using PLAR as an ‘add on method’ is also shown to be inadequate for helping producers effect the transitions required. Discussion on the robustness of the data generated and the stability of the approach show the importance of using approaches that are fit for practice when extending research to develop ecological horticulture to include participation with practitioners. Moving from conventional research approaches to trans-disciplinary approaches is not easy and includes the need to relate the contextual knowledge of farmers to the abstract knowledge of scientists.
Agreement between self-reported birth weight and birth certificate weights
Authors: Jaworowicz D. J. , Nie J. , Bonner M. R. , Han D. , Vito D. , Hutson A. , Potischman N. , Trevisan M. , Muti P. , Freudenheim J. L.
Published: January 2010

Birth weight is emerging as a potentially important risk factor for several chronic diseases with adult onset, including breast cancer. Because participant recall is frequently used to gather data on early life exposures, it is essential that the accuracy of recall be assessed and validated. Self-reported birth weights and birth certificate weights were compared in women aged 35–51 years from the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) Study, a population-based case–control study. A total of 180 participants had both birth certificate and interview data on birth weight. Participants reported birth weight to one of six categories (<5, 5–5.5, 5.6–7, 7.1–8.5, 8.6–10 and >10 lbs). The Spearman correlation for self-reported and birth certificate weights was 0.67. Sixty percent of participants reported weights with exact agreement with birth certificate; unweighted and weighted kappas (κ) were 0.39 and 0.68, respectively. Spearman correlations were similar for cases (0.67) and controls (0.68). Controls exhibited a significantly higher unweightedκ(0.51) than cases (0.27;P= 0.03), but weightedκwere not statistically different [controls, 0.73; cases, 0.64 (P= 0.32)]. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were not different between participants who underreported, overreported, or correctly reported their birth weight for either cases or controls. Overall, the level of agreement for report of birth weight and actual birth weight was fair to moderate.
Mechanism of upper tropospheric warming around the Tibetan Plateau at the onset phase of the Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Tamura Toru , Taniguchi Kenji , Koike Toshio
Published: January 2010

The Asian summer monsoon (ASM), which undergoes two distinct stages of abrupt transitions, resulting in successive onsets from mid‐May to early June, accompanies an abrupt temperature increase in the upper troposphere around the Tibetan Plateau (TP). However, observation studies showed that cumulus convective activities become less frequent at the onset phase of the ASM, indicating the contribution of a heat source other than the surface heating of the TP. The mechanism of upper tropospheric warming is investigated using the climatology derived from the reanalysis data. Heat budget analysis of the upper troposphere revealed that adiabatic subsidence plays an important role in the temperature increase from late April to mid‐June. We suggest that the significant upper level convergence and adiabatic warming to the southwest of the TP is closely associated with the anomalous Hadley circulation. The significant divergent flow from the tropical convection induces upper level convergence and adiabatic subsidence dominating radiative cooling. Furthermore, the downdraft branch of the Hadley‐type circulation to the southwest of the TP is localized and enhanced owing to the divergence over adjacent regions such as the TP, the Indochina Peninsula, and southern China. The atmosphere over the TP is thus heated not only by diabatic heating from the surface, but also by the adiabatic subsidence in the upper troposphere around the onset phase of the ASM. We have verified this by numerical simulations, which show that the latent heat flux around the Bay of Bengal, which forms the deep convective activity and upper circulation, contributes significantly to the upper tropospheric warming.