bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural and electrical characterization of HBr/O2 plasma damage to Si substrate
Authors: Fukasawa Masanaga , Nakakubo Yoshinori , Matsuda Asahiko , Takao Yoshinori , Eriguchi Koji , Ono Kouichi , Minami Masaki , Uesawa Fumikatsu , Tatsumi Tetsuya
Published: June 2011

Silicon substrate damage caused by HBr/O2 plasma exposure was investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), high-resolution Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The damage caused by H2, Ar, and O2 plasma exposure was also compared to clarify the ion-species dependence. Although the damage basically consists of a surface oxidized layer and underlying dislocated Si, the damage structure strongly depends on the incident ion species, ion energy, and oxidation during air and plasma exposure. In the case of HBr/O2 plasma exposure, hydrogen generated the deep damaged layer (∼10 nm), whereas ion-enhanced diffusion of oxygen, supplied simultaneously by the plasma, caused the thick surface oxidation. In-line monitoring of damage thicknesses by SE, developed with an optimized optical model, showed that the SE can be used to precisely monitor damage thicknesses in mass production. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics of a damaged layer were studied before and after diluted-HF (DHF) treatment. Results showed that a positive charge is generated at the surface oxide–dislocated Si interface and/or in the bulk oxide after plasma exposure. After DHF treatment, most of the positive charges were removed, while the thickness of the “Si recess” was increased by removing the thick surface oxidized layer. As both the Si recess and remaining dislocated Si, including positive charges, cause the degradation of electrical performance, precise monitoring of the surface structure and understanding its effect on device performance is indispensable for creating advanced devices.
Measurement and simulation of spreading current in interlayer dielectric film deposition by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Matsunaga Noriaki , Okumura Hirokatsu , Jinnai Butsurin , Samukawa Seiji
Published: June 2011

A serious issue affecting metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors is plasma-induced charging damage caused by the spreading current during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of dielectric films. This current is studied in detail by direct measurement of the plasma-induced vacuum ultraviolet photocurrent through a deposited SiO2 film. The current increased with increasing antenna-wiring spacing, which spreads the electric field over a greater area. Furthermore, the photocurrent showed a parabolic dependence on film thickness. A finite element method simulation demonstrated that the current through a deposited SiO2 film increased when the spreading effect was dominant and decreased when the resistance increase was dominant.
Modeling of plasma-induced damage and its impacts on parameter variations in advanced electronic devices
Authors: Eriguchi Koji , Takao Yoshinori , Ono Kouichi
Published: June 2011

A comprehensive model predicting the effects of plasma-induced damage (PID) on parameter variations in advanced metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is proposed. The model focuses on the silicon recess structure (Si loss) in the source/drain extension region formed by high-energy ion bombardment during plasma etching. The model includes the following mechanisms: (1) damaged layer formation by ion impact and penetration, (2) Si recess structure formation by a subsequent wet etch, (3) MOSFET performance degradation, and (4) MOSFET parameter variation. Based on a range theory for plasma-etch damage, the thickness of the damaged layer exhibits a power-law dependence on the energy of the ion incident on the surface of Si substrate. Assuming that the damaged layer was formed during a gate or an offset spacer etch process, the depth of Si recess (dR) is a function of the depth profile of the created defect site (ndam), the wet-etch stripping time (tw), and the energy of the incident ion. It was found that dR also showed a power-law dependence on the average ion energy E−ion estimated from applied self-dc-bias voltage for various tw. As for MOSFET performance degradation, the threshold voltage (Vth) shifted and the shift (ΔVth) increased with an increase in E−ion and a decrease in gate length. This induces an increase in subthreshold leakage current (Ioff) for MOSFET. Technology computer-aided-design simulations were performed to confirm these results. By integrating the presented PID models, parameter variations could be predicted: Using a Monte Carlo method, it was demonstrated that PID increases parameter variations such as Vth and Ioff. It also was found that the variation in E−ion induces Vth and Ioff variations, comparable to that induced by other process parameter fluctuations such as dopant fluctuation and gate length. In summary, considering the effects of PID on parameter variations is vital for designing future ultralarge-scale-integrated circuits with billions of built-in MOSFETs.
Case report of a near medical event in stereotactic radiotherapy due to improper units of measure from a treatment planning system
Authors: Gladstone D. J. , Li S. , Jarvis L. A. , Hartford A. C.
Published: June 2011

Purpose: The authors hereby notify the Radiation Oncology community of a potentially lethal error due to improper implementation of linear units of measure in a treatment planning system. The authors report an incident in which a patient was nearly mistreated during a stereotactic radiotherapy procedure due to inappropriate reporting of stereotactic coordinates by the radiation therapy treatment planning system in units of centimeter rather than in millimeter. The authors suggest a method to detect such errors during treatment planning so they are caught and corrected prior to the patient positioning for treatment on the treatment machine.Methods: Using pretreatment imaging, the authors found that stereotactic coordinates are reported with improper linear units by a treatment planning system. The authors have implemented a redundant, independent method of stereotactic coordinate calculation.Results: Implementation of a double check of stereotactic coordinates via redundant, independent calculation is simple and accurate. Use of this technique will avoid any future error in stereotactic treatment coordinates due to improper linear units, transcription, or other similar errors.Conclusions: The authors recommend an independent double check of stereotactic treatment coordinates during the treatment planning process in order to avoid potential mistreatment of patients.
A theoretical and experimental evaluation of the microangiographic fluoroscope: A high‐resolution region‐of‐interest x‐ray imager
Authors: Jain Amit , Bednarek D. R. , Ionita Ciprian , Rudin S.
Published: June 2011

Purpose: The increasing need for better image quality and high spatial resolution for successful endovascular image‐guided interventions (EIGIs) and the inherent limitations of the state‐of‐the‐art detectors provide motivation to develop a detector system tailored to the specific, demanding requirements of neurointerventional applications.Method: A microangiographic fluoroscope (MAF) was developed to serve as a high‐resolution, region‐of‐interest (ROI) x‐ray imaging detector in conjunction with large lower‐resolution full field‐of‐view (FOV) state‐of‐the‐art x‐ray detectors. The newly developed MAF is an indirect x‐ray imaging detector capable of providing real‐time images (30 frames per second) with high‐resolution, high sensitivity, no lag and low instrumentation noise. It consists of a CCD camera coupled to a Gen 2 dual‐stage microchannel plate light image intensifier (LII) through a fiber‐optic taper. A 300 μm thick CsI(Tl) phosphor serving as the front end is coupled to the LII. The LII is the key component of the MAF and the large variable gain provided by it enables the MAF to operate as a quantum‐noise‐limited detector for both fluoroscopy and angiography.Results: The linear cascade model was used to predict the theoretical performance of the MAF, and the theoretical prediction showed close agreement with experimental findings. Linear system metrics such as MTF and DQE were used to gauge the detector performance up to 10 cycles/mm. The measured zero frequency DQE(0) was 0.55 for an RQA5 spectrum. A total of 21 stages were identified for the whole imaging chain and each stage was characterized individually.Conclusions: The linear cascade model analysis provides insight into the imaging chain and may be useful for further development of the MAF detector. The preclinical testing of the prototype detector in animal procedures is showing encouraging results and points to the potential for significant impact on EIGIs when used in conjunction with a state‐of‐art flat panel detector (FPD).
Dinosaur Body Temperatures Determined from Isotopic (
13
C-
18
O) Ordering in Fossil Biominerals
Authors: Eagle Robert A. , Tütken Thomas , Martin Taylor S. , Tripati Aradhna K. , Fricke Henry C. , Connely Melissa , Cifelli Richard L. , Eiler John M.
Published: June 2011

Large dinosaurs had body temperatures similar to those of modern mammals and birds.
Are physiological attributes of jockeys predictors of falls? A pilot study
Authors: Hitchens P , Blizzard L , Jones G , Day L , Fell J
Published: June 2011

Objectives

This pilot study describes the physiological attributes of jockeys and track-work riders in Tasmania and investigates whether these attributes are associated with falls.

Methods

All jockeys and track-work riders licensed in Tasmania were invited to participate. The study group consisted of eight jockeys (two female, six male) and 20 track-work riders (14 female, six male). Measures of anthropometry, balance, reaction time, isometric strength, vertical jump, glycolytic and aerobic fitness, flexibility and body composition were conducted. Tests were designed to assess specific aspects of rider fitness and performance relevant to horse racing. For a subset of participants (n=14), the authors obtained information on falls and injuries. The authors used Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios.

Results

Jockeys had better balance, a faster mean reaction time, a lower fatigue index and a higher estimatedV.O2maxthan their track-work riding counterparts. Jockeys were also younger and smaller in stature than track-work riders, and when differences in body mass were taken into account, they had a greater muscular strength and muscular (alactic) power. Important factors found to be associated with falls were lower aerobic and anaerobic fitness, greater muscular strength and power, and riding with the full foot in the stirrup irons compared with riding on the ball of the foot.

Conclusion

This pilot study shows that physiological attributes of jockeys and track-work riders can predict their risk of falling and are measurable using methods feasible for large-scale fieldwork.
Post-trial period surveillance for randomised controlled cardiovascular studies: submitted protocols, consent forms and the role of the ethics board
Authors: Zia Mohammad I , Heslegrave Ronald , Newton Gary E
Published: June 2011

Background

The post-trial period is the time period after the end of study drug administration. It is unclear whether post-trial arrangements for patient surveillance are routinely included in study protocols and consents, and whether research ethics boards (REB) consider the post-trial period.

Objectives

The objective was to determine whether trial protocols and consent forms reviewed by the REB describe procedures for post-trial period surveillance.

Methods

An observational study of protocols of randomised trials of chronic therapies for cardiac conditions, approved by the REB of two academic institutions affiliated with the University of Toronto in Canada (University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital) from 1995 to 2007. Plans for patient surveillance in the post-trial period described in the protocol or in the consent form before and after REB approval were recorded.

Results

42 studies were identified including 18 heart failure and 15 coronary artery disease trials. Only four studies planned a clinical visit after trial termination, and an additional three planned a telephone contact after trial completion. Five trials submitted consent forms to the REB with a discussion of the post-trial period.

Conclusions

The majority of protocols and consent forms did not discuss plans for post-trial period surveillance. The post-trial period and the REB approval process could be improved by systematic follow-up being described in the protocol and consent form. The small number of trial protocols evaluated in the study may impair the degree to which the results can be generalised.
A STUDY OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION MODELING MALIGNANT TUMOR CELLS IN COMPETITION WITH IMMUNE SYSTEM
Authors: YAFIA RADOUANE
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we present a competition model of malignant tumor growth that includes the immune system response. The model considers two populations: immune system (effector cells) and population of tumor (tumor cells). Ordinary differential equations are used to model the system to take into account the delay of the immune response. The existence of positive solutions of the model (with/without delay) is showed. We analyze the stability of the possible steady states with respect to time delay and the existence of positive solutions of the model (with and without delay). We show theoretically and through numerical simulations that periodic oscillations may arise through Hopf bifurcation. An algorithm for determining the stability of bifurcating periodic solutions is proved.
A GENERALIZED ENTROPY-BASED RESIDUAL LIFETIME DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: KUMAR VIKAS , TANEJA H. C.
Published: June 2011

The present communication considers Havrda and Charvat entropy measure to propose a generalized dynamic information measure. It is shown that the proposed measure determines the survival function uniquely. The residual lifetime distributions have been characterized. A bound for the dynamic entropy measure in terms of mean residual life function has been derived, and its monotonicity property is studied.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF BLOOD FLOW IN A POROUS VESSEL HAVING DOUBLE STENOSES IN THE PRESENCE OF AN EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELD
Authors: MISRA J. C. , SINHA A. , SHIT G. C.
Published: June 2011

In this paper, a mathematical model has been developed for studying blood flow through a porous vessel with a pair of stenoses under the action of an externally applied magnetic field. Blood flowing through the artery is considered to be Newtonian. This model is consistent with the principles of ferro-hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics. Expressions for the velocity profile, volumetric flow rate, wall shear stress and pressure gradient have been derived analytically under the purview of the model. The above said quantities are computed for a specific set of values of the different parameters involved in the model analysis. This serves as an illustration of the validity of the mathematical model developed here. The results estimated on the basis of the computation are presented graphically. The obtained results for different values of the parameters involved in the problem under consideration, show that the flow is appreciably influenced by the presence of magnetic field and the rise in the hematocrit level.
Specific effects of BCL10 Serine mutations on phosphorylations in canonical and noncanonical pathways of NF-κB activation following carrageenan
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sumit , Borthakur Alip , Anbazhagan Arivarasu N. , Katyal Shivani , Dudeja Pradeep K. , Tobacman Joanne K.
Published: June 2011

To determine the impact of B cell leukemia/lymphoma (BCL) 10 on the phosphorylation of crucial mediators in NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways, human colonic epithelial cells were exposed to carrageenan (CGN), a sulfated polysaccharide commonly used as a food additive and known to induce NF-κB nuclear translocation by both canonical and noncanonical pathways. Phosphorylations of intermediates in inflammatory cascades, including NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) at Thr559, transforming growth factor-β-activating kinase (TAK) 1 at Thr184, Thr187, and Ser192, and inhibitory factor κBα (IκBα) at Ser32, were examined following mutation of BCL10 at Ser138 and at Ser218. Specific phosphoantibodies were used for detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblot, and confocal microscopy of differences in phosphorylation following transfection by mutated BCL10. Both mutations demonstrated dominant-negative effects, with inhibition of phospho(Ser32)-IκBα to less than control levels. Both of the BCL10 mutations reduced the CGN-induced increases in nuclear RelA and p50, but only the Ser138 mutation inhibited the CGN-induced increases in nuclear RelB and p52 and in NIK Thr559 phosphorylation. Hence, the phosphorylation of BCL10 Ser138, but not Ser218, emerged as a critical event in activation of the noncanonical pathway of NF-κB activation. Either BCL10 Ser138 or Ser218 mutation inhibited the phosphorylation of TAK1 at Thr184 and at Thr187, but not at Ser192. These findings indicate that BCL10 phosphorylations act upstream of phosphorylations of NIK, TAK1, and IκBα and differentially affect the canonical and noncanonical pathways of NF-κB activation.
Dehydration reduces left ventricular filling at rest and during exercise independent of twist mechanics
Authors: Stöhr Eric J. , González-Alonso José , Pearson James , Low David A. , Ali Leena , Barker Horace , Shave Rob
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the reduction in stroke volume (SV), previously shown to occur with dehydration and increases in internal body temperatures during prolonged exercise, is caused by a reduction in left ventricular (LV) function, as indicated by LV volumes, strain, and twist (“LV mechanics”). Eight healthy men [age: 20 ± 2, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): 58 ± 7 ml·kg−1·min−1] completed two, 1-h bouts of cycling in the heat (35°C, 50% peak power) without fluid replacement, resulting in 2% and 3.5% dehydration, respectively. Conventional and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to determine LV volumes, strain, and twist at rest and during one-legged knee-extensor exercise at baseline, both levels of dehydration, and following rehydration. Progressive dehydration caused a significant reduction in end-diastolic volume (EDV) and SV at rest and during one-legged knee-extensor exercise (rest: Δ − 33 ± 14 and Δ − 21 ± 14 ml, respectively; exercise: Δ − 30 ± 10 and Δ − 22 ± 9 ml, respectively, during 3.5% dehydration). In contrast to the marked decline in EDV and SV, systolic and diastolic LV mechanics were either maintained or even enhanced with dehydration at rest and during knee-extensor exercise. We conclude that dehydration-induced reductions in SV at rest and during exercise are the result of reduced LV filling, as reflected by the decline in EDV. The concomitant maintenance of LV mechanics suggests that the decrease in LV filling, and consequently ejection, is likely caused by the reduction in blood volume and/or diminished filling time rather than impaired LV function.
In situ observation of ErD2 formation during D2 loading via neutron diffraction
Authors: Rodriguez Mark A. , Snow Clark S. , Wixom Ryan R. , Llobet Anna , Browning James F.
Published: June 2011

In an effort to better understand the structural changes occurring during hydrogen loading of erbium target materials, we have performed in situ D2 loading of erbium metal (powder) at temperature (450°C) with simultaneous neutron diffraction analysis. This experiment tracked the conversion of Er metal to the α erbium deuteride (solid-solution) phase and then into the β (fluorite) phase. Complete conversion to ErD2.0 was accomplished at 10 Torr D2 pressure with deuterium fully occupying the tetrahedral sites in the fluorite lattice.
Near-surfacein vitrostudies of plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings
Authors: Ntsoane T. P. , Topic M. , Bucher R.
Published: June 2011

Coatings of plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite (HAp), incubated in simulated body fluid for periods varying from 1 to 56 days, were characterized using conventional laboratory X rays. Quantitative phase analysis, employingTOPASsoftware, showed an opposite trend in the two main phases of the coating, viz., HAp and tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP). The former increased within the first 7 days of incubation whilst the latter decreased during the same period; both phases stabilized with further incubation. The crystallinity of the coatings exhibited a trend similar to that of HAp i.e., an increase in the early stages of incubation stabilization with further incubation. Results of residual stress determined with Bruker’s D8 Discover and analyzed withLEPTOSsoftware, showed both the normal stress tensor components,σ11andσ22, to be tensile, relaxing significantly in the early stages of incubation before stabilizing with further incubation.
XAFS studies of Ni, Ta, and Nb chlorides in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride/aluminum chloride
Authors: O’Grady W. E. , Roeper D. F. , Pandya K. I. , Cheek G. T.
Published: June 2011

The structures of anhydrous nickel, niobium, and tantalum chlorides have been investigated in situ in acidic and basic ionic liquids (ILs) of 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride (EMIC)/AlCl3 with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The coordination of NiCl2 changes from tetrahedral in basic solution to octahedral in acidic solution. The NiCl2 is a strong Lewis acid in that it can induce the AlCl3 to share its chlorides in the highly acidic IL, forming a structure with six near Cl− ions and eight further distant Al ions which share the chloride ions surrounding the Ni2+. When Nb2Cl10, a dimer, is added to the acidic or basic solution, the dimer breaks apart and forms two species. In the acid solution, two trigonal bipyramids are formed with five equal chloride distances, while in the basic solution, a square pyramid with four chlorides forming a square base and one shorter axial chloride bond. Ta2Cl10 is also a dimer and divides into half in the acidic solution and forms two trigonal bipyramids. In the basic solution, the dimer breaks apart but the species formed is sufficiently acidic that it attracts two additional chloride ions and forms a seven coordinated tantalum species.
Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5 Accelerates Tumor Growth by Arginine Methylation of the Tumor Suppressor Programmed Cell Death 4
Authors: Powers Matthew A. , Fay Marta M. , Factor Rachel E. , Welm Alana L. , Ullman Katharine S.
Published: June 2011

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) has been described as a tumor suppressor, with high expression correlating with better outcomes in a number of cancer types. Yet a substantial number of cancer patients with high PDCD4 in tumors have poor survival, suggesting that oncogenic pathways may inhibit or change PDCD4 function. Here, we explore the significance of PDCD4 in breast cancer and identify protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as a cofactor that radically alters PDCD4 function. Specifically, we find that coexpression of PDCD4 and PRMT5 in an orthotopic model of breast cancer causes accelerated tumor growth and that this growth phenotype is dependent on both the catalytic activity of PRMT5 and a site of methylation within the N-terminal region of PDCD4. In agreement with the xenograft model, elevated PDCD4 expression was found to correlate with worse outcome within the cohort of breast cancer patients whose tumors contain higher levels of PRMT5. These results reveal a new cofactor for PDCD4 that alters its tumor suppressor functions and point to the utility of PDCD4/PRMT5 status as both a prognostic biomarker and a potential target for chemotherapy. Cancer Res; 71(16); 5579–87. ©2011 AACR.
Age as a Modulator of Inflammatory Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Anuurad Erdembileg , Enkhmaa Byambaa , Gungor Zeynep , Zhang Wei , Tracy Russell P. , Pearson Thomas A. , Kim Kyoungmi , Berglund Lars
Published: June 2011

Objective—

Levels of acute phase reactants are affected by age. The extent to which cardiovascular risk associated with aging is due to an increase in the inflammatory burden is not known. We assessed the relationship with age of inflammatory markers, representing (1) systemic (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and serum amyloid-A) and (2) vascular (lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A
2
and pentraxin-3) inflammation.

Methods and Results—

We determined lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A
2
mass and activity, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, serum amyloid-A, and pentraxin-3 levels and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in 336 whites and 224 African Americans. Levels of systemic inflammatory markers increased significantly with age in both ethnic groups (
P
<0.05 for all), whereas trend patterns of vascular inflammatory markers did not change significantly with age for either group. In multivariate regression models adjusting for confounding variables, age remained independently associated with a composite
Z
score for systemic but not vascular inflammation (β=0.250,
P
<0.001, and β=0.276,
P
<0.001, for whites and African Americans, respectively).

Conclusion—

We report an increase in the systemic but not vascular inflammatory burden with age. Levels of both categories of inflammatory markers with age were similar across ethnicity after adjustment for confounders. Our results underscore the importance of age in evaluating inflammatory markers to assess cardiovascular risk.
Equatorial Waves in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere Forced by Latent Heating Estimated from TRMM Rain Rates
Authors: Ryu Jung-Hee , Alexander M. Joan , Ortland David A.
Published: June 2011

Equatorial atmospheric waves in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS), excited by latent heating, are investigated by using a global spectral model. The latent heating profiles are derived from the 3-hourly Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) rain rates, which include both convective- and stratiform-type profiles. The type of heating profile is determined based on an intensity of the surface rain rate. Latent heating profiles over stratiform rain regions, estimated from the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) product, are applied to derive the stratiform-type latent heating profiles from the gridded rain rate data. Monthly zonal-mean latent heating profiles derived from the rain rates appear to be reasonably comparable with the TRMM convective/stratiform heating product.

A broad spectrum of Kelvin, mixed Rossby–gravity (MRG), equatorial Rossby (ER), and inertia–gravity waves are generated in the model. Particularly, equatorial waves (Kelvin, ER, and MRG waves) of zonal wavenumbers 1–5 appear to be dominant in the UTLS. In the wavenumber–frequency domain, the equatorial waves have prominent spectral peaks in the range of 12–200 m of the equivalent depth, while the spectral peaks of the equatorial waves having shallower equivalent depth (<50 m) increase in the case where stratiform-type heating is included. These results imply that the stratiform-type heating might be relevant for the shallower equivalent depth of the observed convectively coupled equatorial waves.

The horizontal and vertical structures of the simulated equatorial waves (Kelvin, ER, and MRG waves) are in a good agreement with the equatorial wave theory and observed wave structure. In particular, comparisons of the simulated Kelvin waves and the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) satellite observation are discussed.
Variations in Cloud Cover and Cloud Types over the Ocean from Surface Observations, 1954–2008
Authors: Eastman Ryan , Warren Stephen G. , Hahn Carole J.
Published: June 2011

Synoptic weather observations from ships throughout the World Ocean have been analyzed to produce a climatology of total cloud cover and the amounts of nine cloud types. About 54 million observations contributed to the climatology, which now covers 55 years from 1954 to 2008. In this work, interannual variations of seasonal cloud amounts are analyzed in 10° grid boxes. Long-term variations O(5–10 yr), coherent across multiple latitude bands, remain present in the updated cloud data. A comparison to coincident data on islands indicates that the coherent variations are probably spurious. An exact cause for this behavior remains elusive. The globally coherent variations are removed from the gridbox time series using a Butterworth filter before further analysis.

Before removing the spurious variation, the global average time series of total cloud cover over the ocean shows low-amplitude, long-term variations O(2%) over the 55-yr span. High-frequency, year-to-year variation is seen O(1%–2%).

Among the cloud types, the most widespread and consistent relationship is found for the extensive marine stratus and stratocumulus clouds (MSC) over the eastern parts of the subtropical oceans. Substantiating and expanding upon previous work, strong negative correlation is found between MSC and sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern North Pacific, eastern South Pacific, eastern South Atlantic, eastern North Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean west of Australia. By contrast, a positive correlation between cloud cover and SST is seen in the central Pacific. High clouds show a consistent low-magnitude positive correlation with SST over the equatorial ocean.

In regions of persistent MSC, time series show decreasing MSC amount. This decrease could be due to further spurious variation within the data. However, the decrease combined with observed increases in SST and the negative correlation between marine stratus and sea surface temperature suggests a positive cloud feedback to the warming sea surface. The observed decrease of MSC has been partly but not completely offset by increasing cumuliform clouds in these regions; a similar decrease in stratiform and increase in cumuliform clouds had previously been seen over land.

Interannual variations of cloud cover in the tropics show strong correlation with an ENSO index.
Anelastic Internal Wave Packet Evolution and Stability
Authors: Dosser Hayley V. , Sutherland Bruce R.
Published: June 2011

As upward-propagating anelastic internal gravity wave packets grow in amplitude, nonlinear effects develop as a result of interactions with the horizontal mean flow that they induce. This qualitatively alters the structure of the wave packet. The weakly nonlinear dynamics are well captured by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, which is derived here for anelastic waves. In particular, this predicts that strongly nonhydrostatic waves are modulationally unstable and so the wave packet narrows and grows more rapidly in amplitude than the exponential anelastic growth rate. More hydrostatic waves are modulationally stable and so their amplitude grows less rapidly. The marginal case between stability and instability occurs for waves propagating at the fastest vertical group velocity. Extrapolating these results to waves propagating to higher altitudes (hence attaining larger amplitudes), it is anticipated that modulationally unstable waves should break at lower altitudes and modulationally stable waves should break at higher altitudes than predicted by linear theory. This prediction is borne out by fully nonlinear numerical simulations of the anelastic equations. A range of simulations is performed to quantify where overturning actually occurs.
Autoimmune Alternating Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism in Children
Authors: Mathew Revi P. , Moore Daniel J.
Published: June 2011

Two children presented with autoimmune alternating hypo- and hyperthyroidism related to the presence of blocking and stimulating thyroid antibodies. It was difficult to control their thyroid function adequately with an appropriate single drug regimen, and both children underwent total thyroidectomy with subsequent stable management with levothyroxine replacement therapy postsurgically. Although this phenomenon is well described in adults, this report is the first of such occurrence in children. The possible mechanism for the variation in the type of clinical presentation and options for management are discussed.
Work characteristics in long-term temporary workers and temporary-to-permanent workers: A prospective study among Finnish health care personnel
Authors: Mauno Saija , De Cuyper Nele , Kinnunen Ulla , De Witte Hans
Published: June 2011

In this study, the authors seek to account for possible transitions from temporary to permanent employment in relation to perceived psychosocial work characteristics, i.e. job insecurity, workload, job control and organizational communication. The study compared three groups of Finnish hospital workers utilizing a two-wave design with a two-year time lag: (1) workers who were temporarily employed at Time 1 but permanently employed at Time 2 (temporary-to-permanent workers; n = 25); (2) workers who were temporarily employed at Time 1 and at Time 2 (long-term temporary workers; n = 45); and (3) a reference group of workers who were permanently employed at Time 1 and Time 2 (permanent workers; n = 316). The results showed that temporary-to-permanent workers experienced less job insecurity but more workload at Time 2 than at Time 1. Furthermore, long-term temporary workers experienced higher workload at Time 2 than at Time 1, and they also reported a negative change in organizational communication during the follow-up.
Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes: Experiences With Social Support and Family Management
Authors: Rearick Ellen M. , Sullivan-Bolyai Susan , Bova Carol , Knafl Kathleen A.
Published: June 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this mixed-methods descriptive study with parents of children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was to explore their experiences with peer social support following the Social Support to Empower Parents (STEP) intervention and the usefulness of the Family Management Measure (FaMM) in this population.

Methods

Parents who were in the experimental arm of STEP were recruited. Qualitative interviews were conducted (n = 21), and 11 parents completed the FaMM, a quantitative family-functioning measure. Qualitative content data analysis was conducted and compared to the descriptive measure analysis.

Findings

Three themes were identified: availability, practical tips, and common ground. Five FaMM subscales were reliable (α > .80) in this small sample.

Conclusions

The findings illustrate that the STEP intervention is helpful, providing the participants with emotional, affirmational, and informational social support. The use of the FaMM is a first step in assessing family management in families with children with type 1 diabetes.
The Effect of Board Characteristics on Firm Environmental Performance
Authors: de Villiers Charl , Naiker Vic , van Staden Chris J.
Published: June 2011

This study investigates the relationship between strong firm environmental performance and board characteristics that capture boards’ monitoring and resource provision abilities during an era when the natural environment and the related strategic opportunities have increased in importance. The authors relate the proxy for strong environmental performance to board characteristics that represent boards’ monitoring role (i.e., independence, CEO-chair duality, concentration of directors appointed after the CEO, and director shareholding) and resource provision role (i.e., board size, directors on multiple boards, CEOs of other firms on the board, lawyers on the board, and director tenure). The authors provide evidence consistent with both theories of board roles. Specifically, consistent with their agency theory–driven predictions, the authors find evidence of higher environmental performance in firms with higher board independence and lower concentration of directors appointed after the CEO on the board of directors. Consistent with resource dependence theory, they show that environmental performance is higher in firms that have larger boards, larger representation of active CEOs on the board, and more legal experts on the board. Their findings are generally robust to a number of sensitivity analyses. These findings have implications for managers, firms, shareholders, and regulators who act on behalf of shareholders, if they are interested in influencing environmental performance.
The Yellow Press
Authors: Lopez Lori Kido
Published: June 2011

This article analyzes the highly politicized Asian American newspaper Gidra as a way of expanding our conception of ethnic media beyond mainstream publications to include radical ethnic media. In contrast to the notion that ethnic communities might shy from exposing the internal conflicts that jeopardize their own community’s stability, Gidra demonstrates three different kinds of conflict: external conflict, internal conflict, and conflict that is produced by the paper itself. Through this exploration, the different ways that Asian American identities were created and discussed during the late 1960s and early 1970s are also assessed, as the radical contingent of the Asian American Movement used print publications to redefine what it meant to be Asian in America.
How Hollow Can We Go? A Case Study of the Florida’s Efforts to Outsource Oversight of Privatized Child Welfare Services
Authors: Yang Kaifeng , VanLandingham Gary
Published: June 2011

How hollow government can go is a long-standing question that has not been fully answered. In particular, the literature has highlighted the importance of contracting monitoring, but has rarely examined whether or when this function can be successfully outsourced. Extending and integrating theoretic approaches that are relevant to government contracting, this article proposes six conditions that public managers must address in order to successfully outsource the contracting oversight function. The framework is then applied to the case of Florida’s experiment with contracting out financial and programmatic monitoring of outsourced child welfare services. The discontinued experiment in Florida illustrates the challenges that arise when outsourcing the contracting monitoring function in a politically charged environment.
Complex and photo-realistic scene representation based on range planar segmentation and model fusion
Authors: Yao Jian , Taddei Pierluigi , Ruggeri Mauro R , Sequeira Vítor
Published: June 2011

We present an efficient 3D scene representation method from a set of 3D range scans captured from a large-scale indoor or outdoor scene based on range planar segmentation and model fusion. In our method, range images are partitioned into planar patches and non-planar regions. We first partition the range image into a set of rectangle blocks and fit a planar patch to all points of each block. Blocks that are not successfully fitted as planar patches, are iteratively partitioned into sub-blocks until reaching a minimum size. Second, we iteratively merge the planar patches and identify unclassified rectangle blocks or points. The segmentation is then refined by relabelling the boundary points of fitted planar patches with respect to the neighbouring planar patches. We further simplify the scene model representation by fusing range scans and welding neighbouring planar patches with clean straight boundaries. An efficient texture mapping approach is proposed to automatically map the reflectance/colour images onto the fused scene model composed of a set of planar patches. Finally we successfully demonstrate the performance of our algorithms on several challenging range data sets.
Evaluation of cutaneous allodynia following induction of cortical spreading depression in freely moving rats
Authors: Fioravanti Beatriz , Kasasbeh Aimen , Edelmayer Rebecca , Skinner Jr David P , Hartings Jed A , Burklund Ryan D , De Felice Milena , French Edward D , Dussor Greg O , Dodick David W , Porreca Frank , Vanderah Todd W
Published: June 2011

Background: Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a wave of depolarization followed by depression of bioelectrical activity that slowly propagates through the cortex. CSD is believed to be the underlying mechanism of aura in migraine; however, whether CSD can elicit pain associated with migraine headache is unclear.

Methods: Awake, freely moving rats were monitored for both CSD events and behavioral responses resulting from dural-cortical pinprick and/or KCl injection to the occipital cortex.

Results: We observed tactile allodynia of the face and hindpaws, as well as enhanced Fos expression within the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) following CSD induced by KCl injection into the cortex, but not by pinprick. Application of KCl onto the dura elicited cutaneous allodynia and increased Fos staining in the TNC but did not elicit CSD events.

Conclusions: These data suggest that sustained activation of trigeminal afferents that may be required to establish cutaneous allodynia may not occur following CSD events in normal animals.
Hypothermia Is Correlated With Seizure Absence in Perinatal Stroke
Authors: Harbert Mary J. , Tam Emily W. Y. , Glass Hannah C. , Bonifacio Sonia L. , Haeusslein Laurel A. , Barkovich A. James , Jeremy Rita J. , Rogers Elizabeth E. , Glidden David V. , Ferriero Donna M.
Published: June 2011

Within a single-center prospective cohort study of neonatal encephalopathy involving 315 subjects, 15 neonates were found to have a focal stroke on magnetic resonance imaging. These 15 patients were matched on the basis of gender and degree of encephalopathy to 30 neonates without stroke from the same cohort. On Bayley Scales of Infant Development, the stroke group had Mental Development Index scores that were 1.7 standard deviations lower compared with controls ( P = .007). This association was no longer seen after adjustment for the presence of neonatal seizures ( P = .11). Of the 15 patients with stroke, 5 had been treated with hypothermia. None of these 5 had seizures in the neonatal period, compared with 7 of the untreated 10. This is the first human study to demonstrate a potential treatment effect of therapeutic hypothermia on perinatal stroke. It was also shown that seizures are associated with worse cognitive outcomes for stroke that presents with encephalopathy.
Are Cultures Becoming Individualistic? A Cross-Temporal Comparison of Individualism–Collectivism in the United States and Japan
Authors: Hamamura Takeshi
Published: June 2011

Individualism–collectivism is one of the best researched dimensions of culture in psychology. One frequently asked but underexamined question regards its cross-temporal changes: Are cultures becoming individualistic? One influential theory of cultural change, modernization theory, predicts the rise of individualism as a consequence of economic growth. Findings from past research are generally consistent with this theory, but there is also a body of evidence suggesting its limitations. To examine these issues, cross-temporal analyses of individualism–collectivism in the United States and Japan were conducted. Diverging patterns of cultural changes were found across indices: In both countries, some of the obtained indices showed rising individualism over the past several decades, supporting the modernization theory. However, other indices showed patterns that are best understood within the frameworks of a shifting focus of social relationships and a persisting cultural heritage. A comprehensive theory of cultural change requires considerations of these factors in addition to the modernization effect.
The relationship between vocabulary and short-term memory measures in monolingual and bilingual speakers
Authors: Kaushanskaya Margarita , Blumenfeld Henrike K. , Marian Viorica
Published: June 2011

Previous studies have indicated that bilingualism may influence the efficiency of lexical access in adults. The goals of this research were (1) to compare bilingual and monolingual adults on their native-language vocabulary performance, and (2) to examine the relationship between short-term memory skills and vocabulary performance in monolinguals and bilinguals. In Experiment 1, English-speaking monolingual adults and simultaneous English–Spanish bilingual adults were administered measures of receptive English vocabulary and of phonological short-term memory. In Experiment 2, monolingual adults were compared to sequential English–Spanish bilinguals, and were administered the same measures as in Experiment 1, as well as a measure of expressive English vocabulary. Analyses revealed comparable levels of performance on the vocabulary and the short-term memory measures in the monolingual and the bilingual groups across both experiments. There was a stronger effect of digit-span in the bilingual group than in the monolingual group, with high-span bilinguals outperforming low-span bilinguals on vocabulary measures. Findings indicate that bilingual speakers may rely on short-term memory resources to support word retrieval in their native language more than monolingual speakers.
A bottleneck model of e-voting: Why technology fails to boost turnout
Authors: Vassil Kristjan , Weber Till
Published: June 2011

Recent years have seen increasing interest in internet voting in theory and practice. Proponents hope that modernizing the electoral process will boost turnout. Less optimistic scholars object that the new technology merely perpetuates existing patterns of participation. This study aims to arbitrate the controversy. New survey data from the 2007 general election in Estonia allow us to predict the usage of e-voting and its impact on electoral participation. We find that e-voting mostly affects ‘peripheral’ citizens (in a demographic and political sense), but only few of these citizens vote online in the first place. Conversely, the impact on typical e-voters is low. This ‘bottleneck’ effect explains why e-voting has failed to boost turnout but also points to a role in reducing political inequality.
Europeanization and government formation in multi-level systems: Evidence from the Czech Republic
Authors: Debus Marc , Müller Jochen , Obert Peter
Published: June 2011

The development towards a ‘Europe of the Regions’ is accompanied by a complex system of cooperation and interdependence between the different levels of policy-making. In this article, we ask how European integration affects the party composition of regional governments. We argue that the European Union (EU) classification system of regions — the ‘Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics’ (NUTS) — establishes incentives to form similar coalition governments among regions that belong to the same NUTS area. We test our argument by analysing government formation in the Czech regions and thus in one EU member state whose regions benefit financially from EU structural policy. The results show that there is empirical evidence to support our main hypotheses: even when controlling for variables that reflect standard coalition theories and for patterns of party competition in the national sphere, we find that coalitions are more likely to form if the respective parties are also part of the government in the regions that belong to the same NUTS area.
A psycho-educational intervention focused on communication for caregivers of a family member in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease: Results of an experimental study
Authors: Klodnicka Kouri Krystyna , Ducharme Francine C. , Giroux Francine
Published: June 2011

A psycho-educational intervention focused on communication was conceived for caregivers of family members in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease (i.e., persons with dementia), and tested on five proximal outcome variables: caregiver knowledge, perceptions of communication difficulties and degree of perceived disturbance related to these difficulties, self-efficacy and skills. Guided by a theoretical framework that encompassed geragogy, the McGill model of nursing and self-efficacy theory, the intervention was evaluated via an experimental design with pre-post tests. Fifty family caregivers were randomly assigned to an experimental group (intervention program), or to a control group (information flier on communication and memory). Statistically significant effects were found on four dependent variables: caregiver knowledge, degree of disturbance related to communication difficulties, self-efficacy and skills. No significant effects were observed in regard to the perceived presence of communication difficulties. This communication program serves as a useful tool to prepare caregivers for their new role.