bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The non‐target impact of spinosyns on beneficial arthropods
Authors: Biondi Antonio , Mommaerts Veerle , Smagghe Guy , Viñuela Elisa , Zappalà Lucia , Desneux Nicolas
Published: August 2012

Spinosyn‐based products, mostly spinosad, have been widely recommended by extension specialists and agribusiness companies; consequently, they have been used to control various pests in many different cropping systems. Following the worldwide adoption of spinosad‐based products for integrated and organic farming, an increasing number of ecotoxicological studies have been published in the past 10 years. These studies are primarily related to the risk assessment of spinosad towards beneficial arthropods. This review takes into account recent data with the aim of (i) highlighting potentially adverse effects of spinosyns on beneficial arthropods (and hence on ecosystem services that they provide in agroecosystems), (ii) clarifying the range of methods used to address spinosyn side effects on biocontrol agents and pollinators in order to provide new insights for the development of more accurate bioassays, (iii) identifying pitfalls when analysing laboratory results to assess field risks and (iv) gaining increasing knowledge on side effects when using spinosad for integrated pest management (IPM) programmes and organic farming. For the first time, a thorough review of possible risks of spinosad and novel spinosyns (such as spinetoram) to beneficial arthropods (notably natural enemies and pollinators) is provided. The acute lethal effect and multiple sublethal effects have been identified in almost all arthropod groups studied. This review will help to optimise the future use of spinosad and new spinosyns in IPM programmes and for organic farming, notably by preventing the possible side effects of spinosyns on beneficial arthropods. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Microwave assisted synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 colloidal nanoparticle inks
Authors: Flynn Brendan , Wang Wei , Chang Chih‐hung , Herman Gregory S.
Published: August 2012

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticle inks were synthesized for the first time by a one‐pot synthesis method using microwave heating. Precursor solutions were mixed and reacted at 190 °C for 30 min. Varying the initial concentration of the metal chlorides in ethylene glycol was necessary to avoid formation of copper rich and zinc poor nanoparticles. Analysis of the reaction supernatant indicates that Cu+ was fully utilized while significant amounts of Zn2+ remained unreacted. The CZTS nanoparticles were determined to be 7.6 ± 2.1 nm in diameter and were found to agglomerate into larger clusters. A solar cell fabricated with the CZTS nanoparticles had a conversion efficiency of 0.25%.
The surface chemical composition and structure of a fluorocarbon–hydrocarbon block copolymer
Authors: Cheng Wenjuan , Lau Yiu‐Ting R. , Weng Lu‐Tao , Ng Kai‐Mo , Chan Chi‐Ming
Published: August 2012

The thermal properties of the fluorocarbon–hydrocarbon copolymer [‐(CF2)8‐(CH2)10‐]N were characterized using polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. The results revealed the presence of a crystalline phase and a threaded nematic liquid crystal phase. The changes in the surface composition during annealing were studied in situ using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The spectra were interpreted using principal component analysis (PCA). The surface compositions at different thermal states can be distinguished by PCA. Moreover, a PCA loadings analysis revealed a continuous increase in the concentration of the hydrocarbon segments on the surface as the polymer gradually changed from the amorphous state to the liquid crystal state and finally the crystalline state. This suggests that the chemical composition of the surface in the amorphous state is controlled by the surface energy difference between the fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon segments, while the surface composition in the crystalline state is controlled by the structural ordering of the fluorocarbon segments. The results also showed that the surface re‐construction of this polymer was highly reversible. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed‐effects Gaussian process functional regression models with application to dose–response curve prediction
Authors: Shi J.Q. , Wang B. , Will E.J. , West R.M.
Published: August 2012

We propose a new semiparametric model for functional regression analysis, combining a parametric mixed‐effects model with a nonparametric Gaussian process regression model, namely a mixed‐effects Gaussian process functional regression model. The parametric component can provide explanatory information between the response and the covariates, whereas the nonparametric component can add nonlinearity. We can model the mean and covariance structures simultaneously, combining the information borrowed from other subjects with the information collected from each individual subject. We apply the model to dose–response curves that describe changes in the responses of subjects for differing levels of the dose of a drug or agent and have a wide application in many areas. We illustrate the method for the management of renal anaemia. An individual dose–response curve is improved when more information is included by this mechanism from the subject/patient over time, enabling a patient‐specific treatment regime. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining estimates from two surveys: An example from monitoring 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic vaccination
Authors: Furlow‐Parmley Carolyn , Singleton James A. , Bardenheier Barbara , Bryan Leah
Published: August 2012

During the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, there was an ongoing need to monitor 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage at the national and state level to evaluate the vaccination campaign; thus, precise vaccination coverage estimates were needed in a timely fashion. The current objective is to describe and evaluate the methodology used to combine 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage estimates from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS). H1N1 state level vaccination coverage estimates were combined by taking weighted averages of the BRFSS and NHFS estimates, with more weight given to the estimate with the larger effective sample size (sample size/design effect). The impact of the choice of weights was evaluated by comparing estimates when the design effect was removed from the weights. Combined vaccination coverage estimates for children generally fell midway between NHFS and BRFSS estimates because of larger NHFS sample sizes but smaller BRFSS design effects. Adult estimates were more closely weighted to BRFSS estimates because of larger BRFSS sample sizes. Combined standard errors were smaller than the survey‐specific standard errors. When removing the design effect from the weights, the child combined estimates were more closely weighted to those from NHFS, resulting in larger standard errors. Adult combined estimates were similar regardless of choice of weight because of similar design effects across the two surveys. Combining estimates by weighting by the effective sample size allowed timely release of more precise estimates in all states during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dichotomising continuous data while retaining statistical power using a distributional approach
Authors: Peacock J.L. , Sauzet O. , Ewings S.M. , Kerry S.M.
Published: August 2012

Dichotomisation of continuous data is known to be hugely problematic because information is lost, power is reduced and relationships may be obscured or changed. However, not only are differences in means difficult for clinicians to interpret, but thresholds also occur in many areas of medical practice and cannot be ignored. In recognition of both the problems of dichotomisation and the ways in which it may be useful clinically, we have used a distributional approach to derive a difference in proportions with a 95% CI that retains the precision and the power of the CI for the equivalent difference in means. In this way, we propose a dual approach that analyses continuous data using both means and proportions to replace dichotomisation alone and that may be useful in certain situations. We illustrate this work with examples and simulations that show good performance of the parametric approach under standard distributional assumptions from our own research and from the literature. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of gene–environment interaction by pooling biospecimens
Authors: Danaher M. R. , Schisterman E. F. , Roy A. , Albert P. S.
Published: August 2012

Case‐control studies are prone to low power for testing gene–environment interactions (GXE) given the need for a sufficient number of individuals on each strata of disease, gene, and environment. We propose a new study design to increase power by strategically pooling biospecimens. Pooling biospecimens allows us to increase the number of subjects significantly, thereby providing substantial increase in power. We focus on a special, although realistic case, where disease and environmental statuses are binary, and gene status is ordinal with each individual having 0, 1, or 2 minor alleles. Through pooling, we obtain an allele frequency for each level of disease and environmental status. Using the allele frequencies, we develop a new methodology for estimating and testing GXE that is comparable to the situation when we have complete data on gene status for each individual. We also explore the measurement process and its effect on the GXE estimator. Using an illustration, we show the effectiveness of pooling with an epidemiologic study, which tests an interaction for fiber and paraoxonase on anovulation. Through simulation, we show that taking 12 pooled measurements from 1000 individuals achieves more power than individually genotyping 500 individuals. Our findings suggest that strategic pooling should be considered when an investigator designs a pilot study to test for a GXE. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
On the efficiency of two‐stage response‐adaptive designs
Authors: Dette Holger , Bornkamp Björn , Bretz Frank
Published: August 2012

In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of response‐adaptive locally optimum designs. We focus on two‐stage adaptive designs, where after the first stage the accrued data are used to determine a locally optimum design for the second stage. On the basis of an explicit expansion of the information matrix, we compare the variance of the maximum likelihood estimates obtained from a two‐stage adaptive design and a fixed design without adaptation. For several one‐parameter models, we provide explicit expressions for the relative efficiency of these two designs, which is seen to depend sensitively on the statistical problem under investigation. In particular, we show that in non‐linear regression models with moderate or large variances the first‐stage sample size of an adaptive design should be chosen sufficiently large in order to address variability in the interim parameter estimates. These findings support the results of recent simulation studies conducted to compare adaptive designs in more complex situations. We finally present an application to a real clinical dose‐finding trial aiming at the estimation of the smallest dose achieving a certain percentage of the maximum treatment effect by using a three‐parameterEmaxmodel. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Breastmilk Is a Novel Source of Stem Cells with Multilineage Differentiation Potential
Authors: Hassiotou Foteini , Beltran Adriana , Chetwynd Ellen , Stuebe Alison M. , Twigger Alecia-Jane , Metzger Philipp , Trengove Naomi , Lai Ching Tat , Filgueira Luis , Blancafort Pilar , Hartmann Peter E.
Published: August 2012

The mammary gland undergoes significant remodeling during pregnancy and lactation, which is fuelled by controlled mammary stem cell (MaSC) proliferation. The scarcity of human lactating breast tissue specimens and the low numbers and quiescent state of MaSCs in the resting breast have hindered understanding of both normal MaSC dynamics and the molecular determinants that drive their aberrant self-renewal in breast cancer. Here, we demonstrate that human breastmilk contains stem cells (hBSCs) with multilineage properties. Breastmilk cells from different donors displayed variable expression of pluripotency genes normally found in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). These genes included the transcription factors (TFs) OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, known to constitute the core self-renewal circuitry of hESCs. When cultured in the presence of mouse embryonic feeder fibroblasts, a population of hBSCs exhibited an encapsulated ESC-like colony morphology and phenotype and could be passaged in secondary and tertiary clonogenic cultures. While self-renewal TFs were found silenced in the normal resting epithelium, they were dramatically upregulated in breastmilk cells cultured in 3D spheroid conditions. Furthermore, hBSCs differentiated in vitro into cell lineages from all three germ layers. These findings provide evidence that breastmilk represents a novel and noninvasive source of patient-specific stem cells with multilineage potential and establish a method for expansion of these cells in culture. They also highlight the potential of these cells to be used as novel models to understand adult stem cell plasticity and breast cancer, with potential use in bioengineering and tissue regeneration.
FM19G11 Favors Spinal Cord Injury Regeneration and Stem Cell Self-Renewal by Mitochondrial Uncoupling and Glucose Metabolism Induction
Authors: Rodríguez-Jiménez Francisco Javier , Alastrue-Agudo Ana , Erceg Slaven , Stojkovic Miodrag , Moreno-Manzano Victoria
Published: August 2012

Spinal cord injury is a major cause of paralysis with no currently effective therapies. Induction of self-renewal and proliferation of endogenous regenerative machinery with noninvasive and nontoxic therapies could constitute a real hope and an alternative to cell transplantation for spinal cord injury patients. We previously showed that FM19G11 promotes differentiation of adult spinal cord-derived ependymal stem cells under hypoxia. Interestingly, FM19G11 induces self-renewal of these ependymal stem cells grown under normoxia. The analysis of the mechanism of action revealed an early increment of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 and 2 with an early drop of ATP, followed by a subsequent compensatory recovery with activated mitochondrial metabolism and the induction of glucose uptake by upregulation of the glucose transporter GLUT-4. Here we show that phosphorylation of AKT and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is involved in FM19G11-dependent activation of GLUT-4, glucose influx, and consequently in stem cell self-renewal. Small interfering RNA of uncoupling protein 1/2, GLUT-4 and pharmacological inhibitors of AKT, mTOR and AMPK signaling blocked the FM19G11-dependent induction of the self-renewal-related markers Sox2, Oct4, and Notch1. Importantly, FM19G11-treated animals showed accelerated locomotor recovery. In vivo intrathecal sustained administration of FM19G11 in rats after spinal cord injury showed more neurofilament TUJ1-positive fibers crossing the injured area surrounded by an increase of neural precursor Vimentin-positive cells. Overall, FM19G11 exerts an important influence on the self-renewal of ependymal stem progenitor cells with a plausible neuroprotective role, providing functional benefits for spinal cord injury treatment.
Human Serine Protease HTRA1 Positively Regulates Osteogenesis of Human Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Mineralization of Differentiating Bone-forming Cells Through the Modulation of Extracellular Matrix Protein
Authors: Tiaden André N. , Breiden Maike , Mirsaidi Ali , Weber Fabienne A. , Bahrenberg Gregor , Glanz Stephan , Cinelli Paolo , Ehrmann Michael , Richards Peter J.
Published: August 2012

Mammalian high-temperature requirement serine protease A1 (HTRA1) is a secreted member of the trypsin family of serine proteases which can degrade a variety of bone matrix proteins and as such has been implicated in musculoskeletal development. In this study, we have investigated the role of HTRA1 in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) osteogenesis and suggest a potential mechanism through which it controls matrix mineralization by differentiating bone-forming cells. Osteogenic induction resulted in a significant elevation in the expression and secretion of HTRA1 in MSCs isolated from human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBMSCs), mouse adipose-derived stromal cells (mASCs), and mouse embryonic stem cells. Recombinant HTRA1 enhanced the osteogenesis of hBMSCs as evidenced by significant changes in several osteogenic markers including integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP), bone morphogenetic protein 5 (BMP5), and sclerostin, and promoted matrix mineralization in differentiating bone-forming osteoblasts. These stimulatory effects were not observed with proteolytically inactive HTRA1 and were abolished by small interfering RNA against HTRA1. Moreover, loss of HTRA1 function resulted in enhanced adipogenesis of hBMSCs. HTRA1 Immunofluorescence studies showed colocalization of HTRA1 with IBSP protein in osteogenic mASC spheroid cultures and was confirmed as being a newly identified HTRA1 substrate in cell cultures and in proteolytic enzyme assays. A role for HTRA1 in bone regeneration in vivo was also alluded to in bone fracture repair studies where HTRA1 was found localized predominantly to areas of new bone formation in association with IBSP. These data therefore implicate HTRA1 as having a central role in osteogenesis through modification of proteins within the extracellular matrix.
Synthesis, Structure, and Photoluminescent Properties of a New 3D Metal‐Organic Framework with Unusual AgI Chains
Authors: Wang Ji‐Jiang , Cao Pei‐Xiang , Zhang Mei‐Li , Gao Lou‐Jun , Hou Xiang‐Yang
Published: August 2012

A new 3D metal‐organic framework {[Ag4(btc)(bix)2]·H2O}n (1) [H4btc = biphenyl‐2, 2′,4, 4′‐tetracarboxylic acid, bix = 1, 4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene] was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and luminescence studies. The most remarkable structural feature of 1 is that the 1D chain and 2D network interpenetrated structures are further linked by parallel aligned 1D AgI chains to generate 3D metal‐organic framework.
Homocysteine, progression of ventricular enlargement, and cognitive decline: The Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease‐Magnetic Resonance study
Authors: Jochemsen Hadassa M. , Kloppenborg Raoul P. , de Groot Lisette C.P.G.M. , Kampman Ellen , Mali Willem P.T.M. , van der Graaf Yolanda , Geerlings Mirjam I. ,   SMART Study Group
Published: August 2012

Background

Homocysteine may be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and brain atrophy, particularly in older persons. We examined whether homocysteine increased the risk for cognitive decline and brain atrophy, and evaluated the modifying effect of age.

Methods

Within the Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease‐Magnetic Resonance study—a prospective cohort study among patients with atherosclerotic disease—longitudinal analyses were performed in 663 patients (mean age: 57 ± 9 years; follow‐up: 3.9 ± 0.4 years). At baseline and follow‐up, brain segmentation on magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify relative (%) cortical, ventricular, and global brain volumes, and z‐scores of memory and executive functioning were calculated. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate associations of homocysteine (per standard deviation increase) and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) with brain volumes, memory, and executive functioning at follow‐up, adjusted for baseline brain volume, memory, and executive functioning, respectively, and age, sex, and vascular risk factors. Furthermore, interaction terms between homocysteine and age (continuous) were added.

Results

Significant interactions were observed between total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and age with cortical, ventricular, and global brain volume (for all three measures: P < .05), and between HHCY and age with executive functioning (P = .04), and results were stratified by age. In patients aged ≥65 years, increasing tHcy level and HHCY were significantly associated with progression of ventricular enlargement (B = 0.07%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01% to 0.13% and B = 0.16%, 95% CI: 0.01% to 0.31%, respectively) and with a decline in executive function (B = −0.29, 95% CI: −0.54 to −0.04 and B = −0.84, 95% CI: −1.37 to −0.32, respectively).

Conclusion

Elevated tHcy was related to progression of ventricular enlargement and increased the risk for a decline in executive functioning in older persons.
Policy networks in European–Russian gas relations: Function and dysfunction from a perspective of EU energy security
Authors: Kazantsev Andrey
Published: August 2012

This paper analyzes why formation of policy networks, which is an effective tool of European policy in different spheres, have lost significant part of its positive functions from the point of view of guaranteeing European energy security in case of European–Russian gas policy networks. This can be explained by the absence of effective international regime in gas trade as well as by failed transition to democracy, market economy and rule of law in Russia. As a result of this, German, Italian and French leaders involved into European–Russian gas policy networks face serious moral, legal and political dilemmas.
Telling and Re‐telling Stories: The Use of Narrative and Drawing in a Group Intervention with Parents and Children in a Remote Aboriginal Community
Authors: Stock Carolin , Mares Sarah , Robinson Gary
Published: August 2012

The Let's Start Parent‐Child Program is a manualised parent‐child program which aims to improve educational, social and emotional outcomes for Aboriginal parents and their four‐ to seven‐year‐old children. It has been implemented in the Northern Territory, Australia on the Tiwi Islands and in Darwin since 2005. This paper outlines the adaptation of the program to include narrative approaches, the sharing of stories and the use of expressive arts as a way to build understanding between program leaders and participating families. An example from a recent program is used to illustrate how the sharing of stories and expressive use of art engages and binds group participants together. It supports parents to tell their own stories, to speak about their lived experience, to reconsider aspects of their own and their children's experiences and to achieve an increased awareness of their personal resources and a sense of self‐empowerment. The program is designed and delivered with sensitivity to individual parents, children and families, where cultural and interpersonal differences and different developmental and family situations can be taken into account.
Nothing to Fear? Thoughts on the History of Family Therapy and the Potential Contribution of Research
Authors: Rhodes Paul
Published: August 2012

The aim of this plenary address is to advocate for the role that research can play in family therapy, with particular reference to our future as a field in Australia. I will argue: 1) that we have been in transition as a field in the past 15 years or so, from a fairly closed system, to one that is more amenable to holding itself to account through research; 2) that we hold a number of misconceptions about research that need to be explored if we are to continue; 3) that we need to develop a research agenda that is consistent with our values and 4) that there are a host of research methodologies that are consistent with our epistemologies and modes of practice.
HOW BLOODY WASLA SEMAINE SANGLANTEOF 1871? A REVISION
Authors: TOMBS ROBERT
Published: August 2012

The dominant memory of the Paris Commune has been of disproportionate violence wreaked on the Communards by a brutal government. However, accounts of the extent of the bloodshed rest on flimsy foundations. A range of archival evidence suggests that the death toll has been greatly exaggerated, and a revised estimate is here proposed. How and why the number of deaths became crucial to the history of the Commune from an early date is explored. If the killing was in reality on a far less apocalyptic scale, how does this affect the narrative of nineteenth-century French politics and its ‘memory’?
THE IRISH NATIONAL AID ASSOCIATION AND THE RADICALIZATION OF PUBLIC OPINION IN IRELAND, 1916–1918
Authors: DHÁIBHÉID CAOIMHE NIC
Published: August 2012

At the 1918 general election, Sinn Féin overtook the Irish Parliamentary Party as the dominant political force within nationalist Ireland, a process that has its origins in the aftermath of the Easter Rising of 1916. This article argues that to understand better this shift in public opinion, from an initially hostile reaction to the Dublin rebellion to a more advanced nationalist position,1it is important to recognize the decisive role played by a political welfare organization, the Irish National Aid Association and Volunteer Dependents' Fund. The activities of the INAAVDF significantly shaped the popular memory of the Rising, but also provided a focus around which the republican movement could re-organize itself. In foregrounding the contribution of the INAAVDF to the radicalization of political life in Ireland between 1916 and 1918, the article argues that this understudied but important organization offers a useful way of charting popular responses to the Rising and its aftermath, as well as laying the foundations for a reinvigorated political and military campaign after 1917.
THE FISCAL POLITICS OF SAVINGS AND SHARE OWNERSHIP IN BRITAIN, 1970–1980
Authors: MUNRO CLARE
Published: August 2012

Between 1907 and 1984 unearned income in Britain was taxed at higher rates than wages and salaries, a bias that was supported intermittently by limiting shareholders’ dividends and attempting to tax capital wealth. Although apparently accepted as part of the fiscal order until 1979, Margaret Thatcher's government was able to complete the dismantling of the bias in favour of earned income by 1984. This article examines the events and politics of the 1970s to explain the volte-face. The article initially charts the role of political prejudice against rentiers in maintaining higher taxes on unearned income in the context of 1970s economic turmoil and inflation. The article then considers the 1970s fiscal shift from the perspective of equity shareholdings, juxtaposing the use of tax and dividend restraint as a mechanism for control of investment capital with pressure for wider share ownership, particularly for employees. Finally, Avner Offer's theories on prudent financial behaviour are imported as a backdrop for the trend away from tax relief for long-term, illiquid savings towards market-driven incentives. Ultimately, the article detects a change of approach in both main political parties which in turn creates a more stable environment for future policy formation.
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AND UNDER-FIVE MORTALITY IN MOZAMBIQUE
Authors: CAU BOAVENTURA M. , SEVOYAN ARUSYAK , AGADJANIAN VICTOR
Published: August 2012

The influence of religion on health remains a subject of considerable debate both in developed and developing settings. This study examines the connection between the religious affiliation of the mother and under-five mortality in Mozambique. It uses unique retrospective survey data collected in a predominantly Christian area in Mozambique to compare under-five mortality between children of women affiliated to organized religion and children of non-affiliated women. It finds that mother's affiliation to any religious organization, as compared with non-affiliation, has a significant positive effect on child survival net of education and other socio-demographic factors. When the effects of affiliation to specific denominational groups are examined, only affiliation to the Catholic or mainstream Protestant churches and affiliation to Apostolic churches are significantly associated with improved child survival. It is argued that the advantages of these groups may be achieved through different mechanisms: the favourable effect on child survival of having mothers affiliated to the Catholic or mainstream Protestant churches is probably due to these churches' stronger connections to the health sector, while the beneficial effect of having an Apostolic mother is probably related to strong social ties and mutual support in Apostolic congregations. The findings thus shed light on multiple pathways through which organized religion can affect child health and survival in sub-Saharan Africa and similar developing settings.
Deep divers in even deeper seas: habitat use of male southern elephant seals from Marion Island
Authors: Mcintyre Trevor , Bornemann Horst , Plötz Joachim , Tosh Cheryl A. , Bester Marthán N.
Published: August 2012

We describe the habitat use of 22 male southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) satellite tagged at Marion Island between 2004 and 2008. While a few areas of increased utilization appeared to be associated with areas of shallower bathymetry (such as sea-floor ridges and fracture zones), seals in our study did not target other areas of shallow bathymetry within close proximity to Marion Island. Rather, most elephant seals foraged pelagically over very deep water where much variation was evident in diel vertical migration strategies. These strategies resulted in generally deeper and longer dives than what has been reported for male elephant seals from other colonies. No significant differences were recorded for dive durations or dive depths between adults and sub-adults. However, younger animals displayed a positive relationship between dive durations and age, as well as between dive depths and age, while these relationships became negative for older animals. Mixed model outputs suggested that seals increased their aerobic fitness as migrations progressed, enabling them to undertake longer dives. We conclude that Marion Island male elephant seals exhibit much variability in dive strategy and are seemingly capable of exploiting a range of different prey types occurring in various depth layers.
Vitamin D intake and serum vitamin D in ethnically diverse urban schoolchildren
Authors: Au Lauren E , Economos Christina D , Goodman Elizabeth , Must Aviva , Chomitz Virginia R , Sacheck Jennifer M
Published: August 2012

Objective

Low serum vitamin D, which largely affects ethnic minorities, is associated with obesity and other chronic diseases. Little is known about racial/ethnic differences in intake, particularly in children, or if any differences are associated with differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). The objective of the present study was to determine whether racial/ethnic differences in dietary vitamin D intake exist and whether they explain differences in 25(OH)D.

Design

Vitamin D intakes (Block Kids 2004 FFQ) and 25(OH)D were measured. Race/ethnicity was parent-reported (white (37·9 %), Hispanic (32·4 %), black (8·3 %), Asian (10·3 %), multi-racial/other (11·0 %)). Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the associations among dietary vitamin D and race/ethnicity, as well as 25(OH)D, independent of BMI Z-score and other covariates.

Setting

Elementary/middle schools in Somerville, MA, USA, during January–April 2010.

Subjects

Schoolchildren (n 145) in 4th–8th grade.

Results

Only 2·1 % met the 2011 RDA (15 μg/d (600 IU/d)). Average dietary intake was 3.5 (sd 2.2) μg/d (140 (sd 89·0) IU/d). No racial/ethnic differences in intake were evident. Most (83·4 %) were 25(OH)D deficient (<20 ng/ml; 16·0 (sd 6·5) ng/ml). In ANOVA post hoc analyses, 25(OH)D levels were lower in Hispanics than whites (14·6 (sd 6·1) ng/ml v. 17·9 (sd 4·6) ng/ml; P < 0·01). Dietary vitamin D was associated with 25(OH)D overall (P < 0·05), but did not explain the racial/ethnic differences in 25(OH)D.

Conclusions

Most children in this north-east US sample did not meet dietary recommendations for vitamin D and were vitamin D deficient. Dietary vitamin D did not explain the difference in 25(OH)D between Hispanic and white children. Further research is needed to determine if changes in dietary vitamin D by race/ethnicity can impact 25(OH)D levels.
Are transmissions to space dangerous?
Authors: Shostak Seth
Published: August 2012

We consider the suggestion that, as a matter of caution, the deliberate broadcast of signals to the cosmos should be proscribed. We explore the likely capabilities of extraterrestrial societies that might conceivably pose a threat to our species and show that this suggestion is without merit because even if followed, it would fail to keep our existence secret. In addition, trying to limit signalling activities would be a burden on our descendants, crippling their own activities for the indefinite future. A corollary to these considerations affects the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI): namely, it seems inarguable that technologically advanced beings will assume that other societies are capable of detecting their leakage. Consequently, the premise that SETI should expect to find deliberate beacons from other worlds may be mistaken.
Atmospheric fluxes of organic N and P to the global ocean
Authors: Kanakidou Maria , Duce Robert A. , Prospero Joseph M. , Baker Alex R. , Benitez‐Nelson Claudia , Dentener Frank J. , Hunter Keith A. , Liss Peter S. , Mahowald Natalie , Okin Gregory S. , Sarin Manmohan , Tsigaridis Kostas , Uematsu Mitsuo , Zamora Lauren M. , Zhu Tong
Published: August 2012

The global tropospheric budget of gaseous and particulate non‐methane organic matter (OM) is re‐examined to provide a holistic view of the role that OM plays in transporting the essential nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus to the ocean. A global 3‐dimensional chemistry‐transport model was used to construct the first global picture of atmospheric transport and deposition of the organic nitrogen (ON) and organic phosphorus (OP) that are associated with OM, focusing on the soluble fractions of these nutrients. Model simulations agree with observations within an order of magnitude. Depending on location, the observed water soluble ON fraction ranges from ∼3% to 90% (median of ∼35%) of total soluble N in rainwater; soluble OP ranges from ∼20–83% (median of ∼35%) of total soluble phosphorus. The simulations suggest that the global ON cycle has a strong anthropogenic component with ∼45% of the overall atmospheric source (primary and secondary) associated with anthropogenic activities. In contrast, only 10% of atmospheric OP is emitted from human activities. The model‐derived present‐day soluble ON and OP deposition to the global ocean is estimated to be ∼16 Tg‐N/yr and ∼0.35 Tg‐P/yr respectively with an order of magnitude uncertainty. Of these amounts ∼40% and ∼6%, respectively, are associated with anthropogenic activities, and 33% and 90% are recycled oceanic materials. Therefore, anthropogenic emissions are having a greater impact on the ON cycle than the OP cycle; consequently increasing emissions may increase P‐limitation in the oligotrophic regions of the world's ocean that rely on atmospheric deposition as an important nutrient source.
Temporal and radial variation of the solar wind temperature‐speed relationship
Authors: Elliott H. A. , Henney C. J. , McComas D. J. , Smith C. W. , Vasquez B. J.
Published: August 2012

The solar wind temperature (T) and speed (V) are generally well correlated at ∼1 AU, except in Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections where this correlation breaks down. We perform a comprehensive analysis of both the temporal and radial variation in the temperature‐speed (T‐V) relationship of the non‐transient wind, and our analysis provides insight into both the causes of the T‐V relationship and the sources of the temperature variability. Often at 1 AU the speed‐temperature relationship is well represented by a single linear fit over a speed range spanning both the slow and fast wind. However, at times the fast wind from coronal holes can have a different T‐V relationship than the slow wind. A good example of this was in 2003 when there was a very large and long‐lived outward magnetic polarity coronal hole at low latitudes that emitted wind with speeds as fast as a polar coronal hole. The long‐lived nature of the hole made it possible to clearly distinguish that some holes can have a different T‐V relationship. In an earlier ACE study, we found that both the compressions and rarefactions T‐V curves are linear, but the compression curve is shifted to higher temperatures. By separating compressions and rarefactions prior to determining the radial profiles of the solar wind parameters, the importance of dynamic interactions on the radial evolution of the solar wind parameters is revealed. Although the T‐V relationship at 1 AU is often well described by a single linear curve, we find that the T‐V relationship continually evolves with distance. Beyond ∼2.5 AU the differences between the compressions and rarefactions are quite significant and affect the shape of the overall T‐V distribution to the point that a simple linear fit no longer describes the distribution well. Since additional heating of the ambient solar wind outside of interaction regions can be associated with Alfvénic fluctuations and the turbulent energy cascade, we also estimate the heating rate radial profile from the solar wind speed and temperature measurements.
Predicting vegetation‐stabilized dune field morphology
Authors: Barchyn Thomas E. , Hugenholtz Chris H.
Published: August 2012

The morphology of vegetation‐stabilized dune fields on the North American Great Plains (NAGP) mostly comprises parabolic dunes; stabilized barchan and transverse dunes are rare, with the exception of transverse and barchan mega‐dunes in the Nebraska Sand Hills. We present a hypothesis from a numerical dune field model explaining the vegetation‐stabilized morphology of dunes under unidirectional wind. Simulations with a range of initial dune morphologies (closely‐spaced transverse to disperse barchans) indicate that stabilized morphology is determined by the ratio of slipface deposition rate to deposition tolerance of vegetation. Slipface deposition rate is related to dune height, flux, and celerity. With a fixed depositional tolerance, large, slow‐moving dunes have low slipface deposition rates and ‘freeze’ in place once vegetation is introduced. Relatively small, fast dunes have high slipface deposition rates and evolve into parabolic dunes, often colliding during stabilization. Our hypothesis could explain differences in stabilized morphology across the NAGP and elsewhere.
Plasma particle simulations on stray photoelectron current flows around a spacecraft
Authors: Miyake Y. , Usui H. , Kojima H. , Nakashima H.
Published: August 2012

In tenuous space plasmas, photoelectron flows produce complex current paths among multiple conducting elements of spacecraft, which may influence the current–voltage characteristics of double‐probe electric field sensors. We performed full‐particle simulations on this effect by assuming a sensor configuration that is typical of recent designs like those on Cluster, THEMIS, and BepiColombo/MMO; the spherical probe is separated from a conducting boom by biased electrodes known as the ‘stub’ and the ‘guard’. The assumed bias potential scheme corresponds to that planned for BepiColombo/MMO and is different from those used in the other satellites. The analysis focuses on stray photoelectron currents flowing from these electrodes and a spacecraft body. Photoelectrons approaching the probe are commonly repelled by the guard, the potential of which is strongly biased negatively, and are subsequently affected by the probe potential. Consequently, the photoelectron current magnitude increases with increasing probe potential regardless of their origins, when the probe operates between the plasma and floating spacecraft potentials. The result indicates that both photoelectron currents from the spacecraft body and biased electrodes can be minimized by selecting the probe working potential as close as possible to the plasma potential. We also examine the photoelectron current dependence on the presence or absence of the guard electrode operation and confirm a positive effect of reducing the photoelectron current from the spacecraft. However, negative side effects of the guard operation enhance the photoelectron currents from the stub and guard, when the probe operates nearly at the plasma potential.
Analysis of the tropical tropopause layer using the Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM): 2. An experiment under the atmospheric conditions of December 2006 to January 2007
Authors: Kubokawa H. , Fujiwara M. , Nasuno T. , Miura M. , Yamamoto M. K. , Satoh M.
Published: August 2012

The roles of deep convection and generated waves in the Tropical Tropopause Layer (TTL) are investigated using a global nonhydrostatic model, the Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model (NICAM), which runs on the Earth Simulator with a horizontal spacing of 7 km. The model data, which successfully simulated a Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) event for the period between 15 December 2006 and 15 January 2007, are analyzed. The frequency of deep convective clouds that reach the TTL is one of the key diagnostics for dehydration and transport. The present results revealed that the proportion of cumulus clouds that penetrate the lapse‐rate tropopause and the bottom boundary of the TTL (defined as the lapse rate minimum) is ∼0.5% and ∼20%, respectively, in the region between 5°S and 5°N. This result is reasonably consistent with atmospheric observations. Deep convective activity that reaches the TTL was observed over southern Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Indonesian maritime continent, the western Pacific, and southern America. Deep convection over the continents was most active during the local evening period. Over the oceans, high clouds reaching the tropopause were seen over the Indian Ocean and the seas around Java, where two tropical cyclones were generated. Prominent diurnal variations in tropopause temperature associated with deep convection occurred over the Indonesian maritime continent. These diurnal variations were superimposed on large, low‐frequency temperature variations associated with equatorial Kelvin waves generated by the MJO convection. Probably because of coarse vertical resolution, temperature variations simulated by the NICAM are larger than those in the real atmosphere. The two tropical cyclones caused relatively large tropopause temperature variations with a cyclone scale (∼500 km horizontally). The gravity waves generated by tropical cyclones cause small tropopause temperature variations that extend for 1000 km from the cyclone. We conclude that the Kelvin waves associated with the MJO convection cause the largest amplitude of temperature variations in the TTL and that tropical cyclones and diurnal variations of convective activity have large local impacts on temperature variations in the TTL.
Ewald method for 3D periodic dyadic Green's functions and complex modes in composite materials made of spherical particles under the dual dipole approximation
Authors: Campione Salvatore , Capolino Filippo
Published: August 2012

We derive the Ewald representation for the dyadic periodic Green's functions to represent the electromagnetic field in a three dimensional (3D) periodic array of electric and magnetic dipoles. Then we use the developed theory to analyze the modes with real and complex wave number in a 3D periodic lattice of lead telluride (PbTe) microspheres at infrared frequencies and in a 3D periodic lattice of titanium dioxide (TiO2) microspheres at millimeter waves. Each microsphere is equivalently modeled with both an electric and a magnetic dipole, via a method here called the dual dipole approximation (DDA). The 3D lattices exhibit first a magnetic‐induced then an electric‐induced feature determined by microsphere magnetic and electric resonances. The DDA wave number results are compared to the ones computed with single electric or single magnetic dipole approximation and to the ones retrieved by using the Nicolson‐Ross‐Weir (NRW) retrieval method from reflection and transmission of finite thickness slabs computed by a full‐wave simulation. It is shown that the DDA method is in very good agreement with NRW, in contrast to the previously reported single dipole approximation methods that fail to predict one of the two features (either electric or magnetic). A mode with transverse polarization is found to be dominant and able to propagate inside the lattice, and therefore the composite material can be treated as a homogeneous one with effective refractive index. This is obtained by adopting five different retrieval procedures for each lattice, and their agreement or disagreement is discussed.
Dynamic Monte Carlo simulations of anisotropic colloids
Authors: Jabbari-Farouji Sara , Trizac Emmanuel
Published: August 2012

We put forward a simple procedure for extracting dynamical information from Monte Carlo simulations, by appropriate matching of the short-time diffusion tensor with its infinite-dilution limit counterpart, which is supposed to be known. This approach – discarding hydrodynamics interactions – first allows us to improve the efficiency of previous dynamic Monte Carlo algorithms for spherical Brownian particles. In the second step, we address the case of anisotropic colloids with orientational degrees of freedom. As an illustration, we present a detailed study of the dynamics of thin platelets, with emphasis on long-time diffusion and orientational correlations.
Bragg x-ray survey spectrometer for ITER
Authors: Varshney S. K. , Barnsley R. , O’Mullane M. G. , Jakhar S.
Published: August 2012

Several potential impurity ions in the ITER plasmas will lead to loss of confined energy through line and continuum emission. For real time monitoring of impurities, a seven channel Bragg x-ray spectrometer (XRCS survey) is considered. This paper presents design and analysis of the spectrometer, including x-ray tracing by the Shadow-XOP code, sensitivity calculations for reference H-mode plasma and neutronics assessment. The XRCS survey performance analysis shows that the ITER measurement requirements of impurity monitoring in 10 ms integration time at the minimum levels for low-Z to high-Z impurity ions can largely be met.
Neutron field parameter measurements on the JET tokamak by means of super-heated fluid detectors
Authors: Gherendi M. , Zoita V. L. , Craciunescu T. , Johnson M. Gatu , Pantea A. , Baltog I. , Edlington T. , Hellesen C. , Kiptily V. , Conroy S. , Murari A. , Popovichev S. ,   JET EFDA Contributors
Published: August 2012

The neutron field parameters (fluence and energy distribution) at a specific location outside the JET Torus Hall have been measured by means of super-heated fluid detectors (or “bubble detectors”) in combination with an independent, time-of-flight, technique. The bubble detector assemblies were placed at the end of a vertical line of sight at about 16 m from the tokamak mid plane. Spatial distributions of the neutron fluence along the radial and toroidal directions have been obtained using two-dimensional arrays of bubble detectors. Using a set of three bubble detector spectrometers the neutron energy distribution was determined over a broad energy range, from about 10 keV to above 10 MeV, with an energy resolution of about 30% at 2.5 MeV. The very broad energy response allowed for the identification of energy features far from the main fusion component (around 2.45 MeV for deuterium discharges).