bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing the Evidence Base for Trauma Quality Improvement: A Collaborative WHO‐IATSIC Review
Authors: Juillard Catherine J. , Mock Charles , Goosen Jacques , Joshipura Manjul , Civil Ian
Published: March 2009

Background

Quality improvement (QI) programs are an integral part of well‐developed trauma systems. However, they have not been extensively implemented globally. To promote greater use of effective QI programs, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care (IATSIC) have been collaboratively developing the upcoming Guidelines for Trauma Quality Improvement Programmes. As part of the development of this publication and to satisfy global demands for WHO guidelines to be evidence based, we conducted a thorough literature search on the effectiveness of trauma QI programs.

Methods

The review was based on a PubMed search of all articles reporting an outcome from a trauma QI program.

Results

Thirty‐six articles were identified that reported results of evaluations of a trauma QI program or in which the trauma QI program was integrally related to identification and correction of specific problems. Thirteen of these articles reported on mortality as their main outcome; 12 reported on changes in morbidity (infection rates, complications), patient satisfaction, costs, or other outcomes of tangible patient benefit; and 11 reported on changes in process of care. Thirty articles addressed hospital‐based care; four system‐wide care; and two prehospital care. Thirty‐four articles reported an improvement in the outcome assessed; two reported no change; and none reported worsening of the outcome. Five articles also reported cost savings.

Conclusions

Trauma QI programs are consistently shown to improve the process of care, decrease mortality, and decrease costs. Further efforts to promote trauma QI globally are warranted. These findings support the further development and promulgation of the WHO‐IATSIC Guidelines for Trauma QI Programmes.
Validation of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E‐PASS) Score in Liver Surgery
Authors: Banz Vanessa M. , Studer Peter , Inderbitzin Daniel , Candinas Daniel
Published: March 2009

Background

The estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress (E‐PASS) has been used to produce a numerical estimate of expected mortality and morbidity after elective gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was to validate E‐PASS in a selected cohort of patients requiring liver resections (LR).

Methods

In this retrospective study, E‐PASS predictor equations for morbidity and mortality were applied to the prospective data from 243 patients requiring LR. The observed rates were compared with predicted rates using Fisher’s exact test. The discriminative capability of E‐PASS was evaluated using receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

The observed and predicted overall mortality rates were both 3.3% and the morbidity rates were 31.3 and 26.9%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the comprehensive risk scores for deceased and surviving patients (p = 0.043). However, the scores for patients with or without complications were not significantly different (p = 0.120). Subsequent ROC curve analysis revealed a poor predictive accuracy for morbidity.

Conclusions

The E‐PASS score seems to effectively predict mortality in this specific group of patients but is a poor predictor of complications. A new modified logistic regression might be required for LR in order to better predict the postoperative outcome.
A Systematic Review of the Impact of Genetic Counseling on Risk Perception Accuracy
Authors: Smerecnik Chris M. R. , Mesters Ilse , Verweij Eline , de Vries Nanne K. , de Vries Hein
Published: March 2009

This review presents an overview of the impact of genetic counseling on risk perception accuracy in papers published between January 2000 and February 2007. The results suggest that genetic counseling may have a positive impact on risk perception accuracy, though some studies observed no impact at all, or only for low‐risk participants. Several implications for future research can be deduced. First, future researchers should link risk perception changes to objective risk estimates, define risk perception accuracy as the correct counseled risk estimate, and report both the proportion of individuals who correctly estimate their risk and the average overestimation of the risk. Second, as the descriptions of the counseling sessions were generally poor, future research should include more detailed description of these sessions and link their content to risk perception outcomes to allow interpretation of the results. Finally, the effect of genetic counseling should be examined for a wider variety of hereditary conditions. Genetic counselors should provide the necessary context in which counselees can understand risk information, use both verbal and numerical risk estimates to communicate personal risk information, and use visual aids when communicating numerical risk information.
Do spider mite‐infested plants and spider mite trails attract predatory mites?
Authors: Yano Shuichi , Osakabe Masahiro
Published: March 2009

We questioned the well‐accepted concept that spider mite‐infested plants attract predatory mites from a distance. This idea is based on the preference demonstrated by predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias‐Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for volatiles produced by spider mite‐infested plants in a closed environment (Y‐tube wind tunnel). However, in natural open environments, kidney bean leaves heavily infested with Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) did not attract P. persimilis from the same distances as were used in the Y‐tube tests. Therefore, the attraction of predatory mites for spider mite‐infested plant volatiles in the Y‐tube tests may reflect a preference in a closed environment and should be carefully interpreted as a basis for extrapolating predator–prey attraction mechanisms in the wild. On the other hand, we showed that adult female P. persimilis could follow trails laid down by adult female T. urticae in the laboratory and in natural open environments. Consequently, we propose that following spider mite trails represents another prey‐searching cue for predatory mites.
Modification of Conductive Polymer for Polymeric Anodes of Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Wang Guang-Feng , Tao Xiao-Ming , Xin John H. , Fei Bin
Published: March 2009

A conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), was modified with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in solution state, together with sub-sequential thermal treatment of its spin-coated film. The electrical conductivity increased by more than three orders of magnitude improvement was achieved. The mechanism for the conductivity improvement was studied at nanoscale by particle size analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Smaller particle size was observed, resulting in larger contact area and better electrical conductive connections. Connection of conductive PEDOT increased on the surface of the PEDOT:PSS particles, which promoted high conductivity. Flexible anodes based on the modified PEDOT:PSS were fabricated. Flexible organic light-emitting diodes (FOLED) based the polymeric anodes have a comparable performance to those on indium–tin–oxide (ITO) anodes.
Classification of proximal tibial fractures in children
Authors: Mubarak Scott J. , Kim Jung Ryul , Edmonds Eric W. , Pring Maya E. , Bastrom Tracey P.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

To develop a classification system for all proximal tibial fractures in children that accounts for force of injury and fracture patterns.

Methods

At our institution, 135 pediatric proximal tibia fractures were treated from 1997 to 2005. Fractures were classified into four groups according to the direction of force of injury: valgus, varus, extension, and flexion–avulsion. Each group was subdivided into metaphyseal and physeal type by fracture location and Salter–Harris classification. Also included were tibial tuberosity and tibial spine fractures.

Results

Of the 135 fractures, 30 (22.2%) were classified as flexion group, 60 (44.4%) extension group, 28 (20.8%) valgus group, and 17 (12.6%) varus group. The most common type was extension-epiphyseal-intra-articular-tibial spine in 52 fractures (38.5%). This study shows that proximal tibial fractures are age-dependent in relation to: mechanism, location, and Salter–Harris type. In prepubescent children (ages 4–9 years), varus and valgus forces were the predominate mechanism of fracture creation. During the years nearing adolescence (around ages 10–12 years), a fracture mechanism involving extension forces predominated. With pubescence (after age 13 years), the flexion–avulsion pattern is most commonly seen. Furthermore, metaphyseal fractures predominated in the youngest population (ages 3–6 years), with tibial spine fractures occurring at age 10, Salter–Harris type I and II fractures at age 12, and Salter–Harris type III and IV physeal injuries occurring around age 14 years.

Conclusion

We propose a new classification scheme that reflects both the direction of force and fracture pattern that appears to be age-dependent. A better understanding of injury patterns based on the age of the child, in conjunction with appropriate pre-operative imaging studies, such as computer-aided tomography, will facilitate the operative treatment of these often complex fractures.
Contrast Mechanisms and Image Formation in Helium Ion Microscopy
Authors: Bell David C.
Published: March 2009

The helium ion microscope is a unique imaging instrument. Based on an atomic level imaging system using the principle of field ion microscopy, the helium ion source has been shown to be incredibly stable and reliable, itself a remarkable engineering feat. Here we show that the image contrast is fundamentally different to other microscopes such as the scanning electron microscope (SEM), although showing many operational similarities due to the physical ion interaction mechanisms with the sample. Secondary electron images show enhanced surface contrast due the small surface interaction volume as well as elemental contrast differences, such as for nanowires imaged on a substrate. We present images of nanowires and nanoparticles for comparison with SEM imaging. Applications of Rutherford backscattered ion imaging as a unique and novel imaging mechanism are described. The advantages of the contrast mechanisms offered by this instrument for imaging nanomaterials are clearly apparent due to the high resolution and surface sensitivity afforded in the images. Future developments of the helium ion microscope should yield yet further improvements in imaging and provide a platform for continued advances in microscope science and nanoscale research.
Electron Channeling: A Problem for X-Ray Microanalysis in Materials Science
Authors: Meisenkothen Frederick , Wheeler Robert , Uchic Michael D. , Kerns Robert D. , Scheltens Frank J.
Published: March 2009

Electron channeling effects can create measurable signal intensity variations in all product signals that result from the scattering of the electron beam within a crystalline specimen. Of particular interest to the X-ray microanalyst are any variations that occur within the characteristic X-ray signal that are not directly related to a specimen composition variation. Many studies have documented the effect of crystallographic orientation on the local X-ray yield; however, the vast majority of these studies were carried out on thin foil specimens examined in transmission. Only a few studies have addressed these effects in bulk specimen materials, and these analyses were generally carried out at common scanning electron microscope microanalysis overvoltages (>1.5). At these overvoltage levels, the anomalous transmission effect is weak. As a result, the effect of electron channeling on the characteristic X-ray signal intensity has traditionally been overlooked in the field of quantitative electron probe microanalysis. The present work will demonstrate that electron channeling can produce X-ray variations of up to 26%, between intensity maxima and minima, in low overvoltage X-ray microanalyses of bulk specimens. Intensity variations of this magnitude will significantly impact the accuracy of qualitative and quantitative X-ray microanalyses at low overvoltage on engineering structural materials.
A comparison of parameters of 3-minute and 5-minute oscillations in sunspots from synchronous microwave and optical observations
Authors: Abramov-Maximov V. E. , Gelfreikh G. B. , Kobanov N. I. , Shibasaki K.
Published: March 2009

The observations of 3 and 5 minute oscillations in sunspots present information on propagation of MHD waves in the magnetic tubes of sunspots. We present a comparison of wavelet spectra of radio flux oscillations at λ = 1.76 cm and oscillations of longitudinal component of the velocity at the chromosphere in sunspot umbra and penumbra in AR 10661 (2004, Aug 18). The radio maps of the Sun obtained with the Nobeyama Radioheliograph were used. The spatial resolution of the radio data was about 10-15 arcsec, and 10 sec cadence was used. On the radio maps sunspot-associated sources were identified and time profiles of their maximum brightness temperatures for each radio source were calculated. Radio data consists of information of oscillations of plasma parameters (in the regions with magnetic field B = 2000 G) at the level of the chromosphere-corona transition region. The optical observations were carried out at Sayan observatory. These data included information on longitude component of the magnetic field at the photosphere (line Fe I 6569 Å) and longitudinal component of the velocity at the chromosphere (line Hα was used). Comparing the wavelet diagrams covering the same periods of observations at radio and optics showed that some wave trains of time profiles are very similar in both kinds of observations (similar oscillation frequencies and their drifts, variations of amplitudes), however, some significant differences were also registered. The best similarity in optical and radio oscillations was found when the active region (AR) was near the center of the solar disk. The phase shifts between the two kinds of observations reflecting the propagation of MHD waves were also analyzed.
Understanding structures at the base of the solar corona – polar plumes
Authors: Gabriel A. H. , Bely-Dubau F. , Tison E. , Abbo L.
Published: March 2009

Recent work on coronal polar plumes (Gabriel et al. 2003, 2005) has aimed at determining the outflow velocity in plume and interplume regions, using the Doppler dimming technique on oxygen VI observations by SUMER and UVCS on SOHO. By comparing observations of SOHO/EIT with plume modelling, we show that the major part of plumes is the result of chance alignments along the line-of-sight of small enhancements in intensity. This confirms the so-called curtain model. These plumes can be attributed to reconnection activity along the boundaries of supergranule cells. A second population of plumes has a lower abundance and arises from surface bright points having a particular magnetic configuration. New observations using the Hinode/EIS spectrometer are in progress, with the aim of providing further insight for this model.
Microwave observations with the RATAN-600 radio telescope: detection of the thermal emission sources
Authors: Grigoryeva Irina Yu. , Kashapova Larisa K. , Livshits Moisey A. , Borovik Valery N.
Published: March 2009

We report on two off-limb radio sources of microwave emission which were detected in one-dimensional RATAN-600 solar scans of the post-eruptive loops: on December 2, 2003 (off west limb) and January 25, 2007 (east limb). The microwave spectra showed that the thermal emission was predominant at the early stage of the arcade formation with a small contribution of non-thermal emission. There were no high-energy particles in these events. The microwave spectra of the radio sources associated with the tops of postflare loops show the predominant thermal emission during one hour after the eruption. In case of a small contribution from accelerated particles to the microwave emission, there is a large amount of hot plasma in the region of the loop tops after the eruption.
Oscillatory phenomena in a solar network region
Authors: Tsiropoula Georgia , Tziotziou Kostas , Schwartz Pavol , Heinzel Petr
Published: March 2009

We examine oscillatory phenomena in a solar network region from multi-wavelength, observations obtained by the ground-based Dutch Open Telescope (DOT), and by instruments on the spacecraft Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO). The observations were obtained during a coordinated observing campaign on October 14, 2005. The temporal variations of the intensities and velocities in two distinct regions of the quiet Sun were investigated: one containing several dark mottles and the other several bright points defining the network boundaries (NB). The aim is to find similarities and/or differences in the oscillatory phenomena observed in these two regions and in different spectral lines formed from the chromosphere to the transition region, as well as propagation characteristics of waves.
Numerical simulation of wave propagation in magnetic network
Authors: Vigeesh G. , Hasan S. S. , Steiner O.
Published: March 2009

We present 2-D numerical simulations of wave propagation in the magnetic network. The network is modelled as consisting of individual magnetic flux sheets located in intergranular lanes. They have a typical horizontal size of about 150 km at the base of the photosphere and expand upward and become uniform. We consider flux sheets of different field strengths. Waves are excited by means of transverse motions at the lower boundary, to simulate the effect of granular buffeting. We look at the magneto-acoustic waves generated within the flux sheet and the acoustic waves generated in the ambient medium due to the excitation. We calculate the wave energy fluxes separating them into contributions from the acoustic and the Poynting part and study the effect of the different field strengths.
Magnetic flux ropes: Fundamental structures for eruptive phenomena
Authors: Amari Tahar , Aly Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2009

We consider some general aspects of twisted magnetic flux ropes (TFR), which are thought to play a fundamental role in the structure and dynamics of large scale eruptive events. We first discuss the possibility to show the presence of a TFR in a pre-eruptive configuration by using a model along with observational informations provided by a vector magnetograph. Then we present, in the framework of a generic model in which the coronal field is driven into an evolution by changes imposed at the photospheric level, several mechanisms which may lead to the formation and the disruption of a TFR, including the development of a MHD instability, and we discuss the issues of the energy and helicity contents of an erupting configuration. Finally we report some results of a recent and more ambitious approach to the physics of TFRs in which one tries to describe in a consistent way their rising through the convection zone, their emergence through the photosphere, and their subsequent evolution in the corona.
Formation of anisotropic distributions of mildly relativistic electrons in flaring loops
Authors: Melnikov Victor F. , Gorbikov Sergey P. , Pyatakov Nikolai P.
Published: March 2009

In this paper we show that different locations of acceleration/injection sites in flaring loops may produce very different types of pitch-angle distributions of accelerated electrons and, as a consequence, different spatial, spectral and polarization properties of the loop microwave emission. It is shown that these properties can be detected using spatially resolved microwave observations of specific flaring loops and be used to choose the most suitable electron acceleration model.
Cosmic ray spectra in planetary atmospheres
Authors: Buchvarova M. , Velinov P.
Published: March 2009

Our model generalizes the differential D(E) and integral D(>E) spectra of cosmic rays (CR) during the 11-year solar cycle. The empirical model takes into account galactic (GCR) and anomalous cosmic rays (ACR) heliospheric modulation by four coefficients. The calculated integral spectra in the outer planets are on the basis of mean gradients: for GCR – 3%/AU and 7%/AU for anomalous protons. The obtained integral proton spectra are compared with experimental data, the CRÈME96 model for the Earth and theoretical results of 2D stochastic model. The proposed analytical model gives practical possibility for investigation of experimental data from measurements of galactic cosmic rays and their anomalous component.
SEPs and CMEs during cycle 23
Authors: Mäkelä Pertti , Gopalswamy Nat , Yashiro Seiji , Akiyama Sachiko , Xie Hong , Valtonen Eino
Published: March 2009

We present a study of solar energetic particles (SEPs) in association with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and type II radio bursts. The particle and CME observations cover the years 1996–2007. We find that heavy-ion events in association with type II bursts and proton events are produced in more western and most energetic CMEs. In addition, the source distribution of type II associated proton events with heavy ions reminds the source distribution expected for events with flare particles. Therefore, the estimation of relative contributions by flares and shocks in SEP events and separation of suggested different particle acceleration models is complicated.
Changing Religiosity, Changing Politics? The Influence of “Belonging” and “Believing” on Political Attitudes in Switzerland
Authors: Nicolet Sarah , Tresch Anke
Published: March 2009

Starting from theories of secularization and of religious individualization, we propose a two-dimensional typology of religiosity and test its impact on political attitudes. Unlike classic conceptions of religiosity used in political studies, our typology simultaneously accounts for an individual's sense of belonging to the church (institutional dimension) and his/her personal religious beliefs (spiritual dimension). Our analysis, based on data from the World Values Survey in Switzerland (1989–2007), shows two main results. First, next to evidence of religious decline, we also find evidence of religious change with an increase in the number of people who “believe without belonging.” Second, non-religious individuals and individuals who believe without belonging are significantly more permissive on issues of cultural liberalism than followers of institutionalized forms of religiosity.
Upper mixed layer temperature and salinity variability in the tropical boundary of the California Current, 1997–2007
Authors: Gomez‐Valdes Jose , Jeronimo Gilberto
Published: March 2009

Spatial and temporal interannual variability of mixed layer (ML) temperature and ML salinity off Baja California are examined using empirical orthogonal functions analysis. Conductivity‐temperature‐depth data collected from October 1997 through January 2007 over a grid based on Mexican Research of the California Current quarterly survey cruises are analyzed. Net heat flux (NHF) and sea surface height anomaly (SSH) from satellite products are also analyzed. The first leading mode of both ML temperature and ML salinity show a single‐signed loading pattern, in which the variability increases southward. Those patterns have been reported before, but they are lacking a quantitative explanation. ML temperature variability is mainly associated with NHF variability, while ML salinity variability is mainly associated with large‐scale SSH variability. The principal component (PC) of ML salinity is correlated with North Pacific Gyre Oscillation and Warm Water Volume climate indices, while the PC of ML temperature is only correlated with the latter index. Those results indicate that the principal mode of ML salinity variability is a diagnostic variable of basin‐scale process. An abrupt freshening (∼−0.7) and cooling (∼−4°C) event from January 1998 to January 1999 and an abrupt freshening (∼−0.5) event from January 2002 to January 2003 are conspicuous features in the mixed layer. The 1998–1999 events are associated with the major El Niño–La Niña cycle in the 10‐year period. The 2002–2003 freshening is related to an enhancement of subarctic water into the equatorward flow that started during the summer of 2002 off Oregon (49°N).
An evaporation estimation method based on the coupled 2‐D turbulent heat and vapor transport equations
Authors: Szilagyi Jozsef , Jozsa Janos
Published: March 2009

The analytical solution of the coupled turbulent diffusion equations of heat and vapor transport across a moisture discontinuity under near‐neutral atmospheric conditions and constant energy available at the evaporating surface yields a simple equation (i.e., the wet‐surface equation [WSE]) that relates the change in surface temperature to the change in the land surface moisture content as the environment dries. With the help of percent possible sunshine, air temperature, and humidity measurements at selected weather stations as well as land surface temperature values from MODIS data, monthly, warm‐season evaporation rates were estimated for five rectangular regions across the contiguous U.S. employing the WSE. The so‐derived monthly evaporation rates correlated very strongly (R2 = 0.95) with traditional complementary relationship‐derived evaporation estimates using the same weather‐station data. Even on an annual basis the correlation remained unchanged. WSE with no tunable parameters may in the future help in calibration and validation of other evaporation estimation techniques that may or may not rely on land surface temperature data.
Automatic whistler detection: Operational results from New Zealand
Authors: Rodger Craig J. , Lichtenberger János , McDowell Gregory , Thomson Neil R.
Published: March 2009

Lightning‐generated “whistlers,” the strongly dispersed radio wave pulses that have propagated along the Earth's magnetic field from one hemisphere of the Earth to the other, have long been regarded as inexpensive and effective tools for plasmasphere diagnosis. The Eötvös University Automatic Whistler Detector (AWD) system has been operating in Dunedin, New Zealand, since mid‐May 2005. Here we report on the first 530 days of near‐continuous AWD operation. In this time period the AWD system detected 92,528 individual whistler events containing 236,019 whistler traces. This equates to a whistler event rate of 0.12 min−1 and a whistler trace rate of 0.31 min−1. Despite the conjugate lightning rate for Dunedin being a factor of ∼1500 lower than that for Hungary, the AWD‐reported whistler rate from Dunedin was only ∼3 times lower. Dunedin whistler rates are high, hundreds of times higher than estimated from the conjugate lightning activity, showing that conjugate lightning activity levels are not a good predictor of whistler rates. Dunedin‐observed whistlers are most common during the daytime, in stark contrast with earlier findings and general expectations. We suggest that North American lightning may be the principal source of Dunedin whistlers. The Dunedin‐based AWD has detected a large number of whistlers over a wide range of L shells, with a sufficiently small false trigger rate (∼58%) to allow rapid processing of the data. Dunedin observations may soon provide a valuable near‐continuous plasmaspheric measurement stream after the planned upgrade of the existing AWD to an automatic analyzer and AWD system.
Epitaxial self-assembly of multiferroic nanostructures
Authors: Tan Zhuopeng , Slutsker Julia , Roytburd Alexander L.
Published: March 2009

The morphology and structure of interfaces in PbTiO3–CoFe2O4 films on SrTiO3 substrates of various orientations are studied. It is found that for film with thickness more than 100 nm with columnar two-phase morphology, the average orientations of the interfaces between the phases reside on the {110}, {111}, and {112} planes for films normal to substrates oriented along ⟨001⟩, ⟨110⟩, and ⟨111⟩ correspondingly. These macroscopic interfaces consist of {111} nanofacets. The study of very thin film less than 30 nm shows that the interfaces between nanosize phases are {111} planes. Available theoretical results on morphology of multiferroic thin film nanostructure allow us to conclude that for thick films (>100 nm), two-phase columnar morphology (shape of constituent phases, their arrangement, and average crystallographic orientations of the interfaces) is essentially determined by the trend for minimization of elastic energy, while the trend to minimize the energy of interfaces results in faceting interfaces along the {111} planes. Possibility of long range ordering in phase arrangement is discussed.
Reduction of magnetic grain size of perpendicular recording media with CoCrW seed layer
Authors: Inamura R. , Toyoda T. , Tanaka T. , Uzumaki T.
Published: March 2009

We report the use of CoCrW seed layer (SL) for making the fine grain granular structure and high crystalline orientation of CoCrPt-oxide magnetic recording layer. It is found that CoCrW SL should be of amorphouslike structure to make fine grain of CoCrPt-oxide magnetic layer. Moreover, the smooth surface of CoCrW SL provides high crystalline orientation of the CoCrPt-oxide magnetic layer.
Composition control and thickness dependence of {100}-oriented epitaxial BiCoO3–BiFeO3 films grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Yasui Shintaro , Nakajima Mitsumasa , Naganuma Hiroshi , Okamura Soichiro , Nishida Ken , Yamamoto Takashi , Iijima Takashi , Azuma Masaki , Morioka Hitoshi , Saito Keisuke , Ishikawa Mutsuo , Yamada Tomoaki , Funakubo Hiroshi
Published: March 2009

x BiCoO 3 – ( 1 − x ) BiFeO 3 films were deposited by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Although the film composition changed with deposition temperature, the composition could be adjusted by varying the input source gas composition at 700 °C. Moreover, adjusting the deposition time could change 0.16BiCoO3–0.84BiFeO3 film thickness. The crystal symmetry changed from rhombohedral to tetragonal as the film thickness decreased for 0.16BiCoO3–0.84BiFeO3 films grown on both (100)SrTiO3 and (100)cSrRuO3∥(100)SrTiO3 substrates, implying that the x value of the crystal symmetry boundaries between the tetragonal and rhombohedral structures changes with film thickness.
Synthesis and characterization of FeGa nanowires
Authors: Battogtokh Jugdersuren , Kang Sungmu , Chao Yan , Wagner Michael J. , Brandys Marek , Buechele Andrew C. , Pegg Ian L. , Philip John
Published: March 2009

We report the growth, structural characterization, and magnetic properties of ferromagnetic Fe0.8Ga0.2 nanowires that are grown on quartz substrates by electrospinning. Electrospun nanowires are annealed in ultrahigh purity argon-hydrogen gas mixture. Uniform, continuous, high aspect ratio FeGa nanowires with diameters in the range of 50–500 nm and lengths of up to 500 μm are grown. Hysteresis loops were measured with magnetic field applied perpendicular and parallel to the substrate plane at 4 and 300 K. The nanowires exhibit a quite large coercivity (380 Oe) at 4 K in the parallel field. At 300 K, they show lower coercivities than that of bulk FeGa in both directions.
Postdeposition annealing effect on (Ba0.6,Sr0.4)TiO3 thick films deposited by aerosol deposition method
Authors: Popovici Daniel , Tsuda Hiroki , Akedo Jun
Published: March 2009

The effect of thermal treatment on physical properties of (Ba0.6,Sr0.4)TiO3 (BST60) ferroelectric thick films deposited by aerosol deposition (AD) technique has been investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) to explain the leakage current behavior of the films. The leakage current increases when the thermal treatment temperature was increased. By XPS analysis it was found that the films are not formed entirely of BST60 phase. Carbonates of Ba or/and Sr and TiO2 coexist with the BST phase, and it is believed to play an important role in the properties of the AD-deposited BST60 thick films. CIS analysis revealed that the grain boundary region becomes less resistive with the increase in thermal treatment temperature. Also, it has been observed after comparing the electric modulus of green and thermally treated samples that the activation energy for electron-hole formation becomes smaller with the increase in thermal treatment temperature above 600 °C. Decrease in resistivity at the grain boundary regions and activation energy is believed to be caused by the diffusion from the highly conductive isolated areas present in the grain boundary toward the entire grain boundary area with increase in thermal treatment temperature.
Perovskite CaCu3Ti4O12 thin films for capacitive applications: From the growth to the nanoscopic imaging of the permittivity
Authors: Fiorenza P. , Lo Nigro R. , Sciuto A. , Delugas P. , Raineri V. , Toro R. G. , Catalano M. R. , Malandrino G.
Published: March 2009

The physical properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) thin films grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on LaAlO3 substrates have been investigated. The structural, compositional, and optical characteristics have been evaluated, and all the collected data demonstrated that in the obtained (001) epitaxial CCTO thin films, a low defect density is present. The electrical behavior of the deposited thin films has been studied from both micro- and nanoscopic points of view and compared with the properties reported in the literature. The electrical measurements on large area capacitors indicated that in the investigated work frequency range (102–106 Hz), the CCTO films possess dielectric constants close to the theoretically predicted “intrinsic” value and almost independent of the frequency. The nanoscopic dielectric investigation demonstrated that the deposited CCTO films possess n-type semiconducting nature and that a colossal extrinsic behavior can be locally achieved.
Polarization change in ferroelectric thin film capacitors under external stress
Authors: Zhu H. , Chu D. P. , Fleck N. A. , Rowley S. E. , Saxena S. S.
Published: March 2009

The changes in polarization and coercive voltage of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin film of 130 nm in thickness were measured under hydrostatic pressure up to 1.5 GPa. By converting the isotropic loading to an equivalent out-of-plane uniaxial compressive loading, it was found that these results were consistent with our previous results of uniform in-plane tensile stress, showing that the polarization changes under these two different loading conditions are of the same nature. The combined results demonstrate that the intrinsic polarization decreased linearly with the level of stress at a rate of −0.013 μC cm−2 MPa−1 with a critical stress of 1.6 GPa to paraelectric phase. Further comparison of our result with that of a thick PZT film and bulk PZT materials suggests that ferroelastic switching (90° switching) is dominant in the bulk material, and the polarization reduction in our thin film is due to material intrinsic lattice distortion under pressure, while the thick film response is intermediate. The effect of substrate clamping on ferroelastic domains is also shown.
Development of a microfocus x-ray tube with multiple excitation sources
Authors: Maeo Shuji , Krämer Markus , Taniguchi Kazuo
Published: March 2009

A microfocus x-ray tube with multiple targets and an electron gun with a focal spot size of 10 μm in diameter has been developed. The electron gun contains a LaB6 cathode and an Einzel lens. The x-ray tube can be operated at 50 W (50 kV, 1 mA) and has three targets, namely, Cr, W, and Rh on the anode that can be selected completely by moving the anode position. A focal spot size of 10 μm in diameter can be achieved at 0.5 mA current. As demonstration of the usability of a multiexcitation x-ray tube, the fluorescence x-rays have been measured using a powder specimen mixed of TiO2, Co, and Zr of the same quantity. The differences of excitation efficiency have clearly appeared according to the change in excitation source. From the results discussed here, it can be expected that the presented x-ray tube will be a powerful tool in microx-ray fluorescence spectrometers and various x-ray instruments.
Thermal imaging with tapping mode using a bimetal oscillator formed at the end of a cantilever
Authors: Kim Sang-Jin , Ono Takahito , Esashi Masayoshi
Published: March 2009

Thermal detection based on the thermal shift of the resonant frequency of a bimetal resonator (Al/Si) is presented and demonstrated. The bimetal oscillator with a tip is fabricated at the end of a commercial silicon cantilever. The bimetal oscillator and the silicon cantilever have a resonance frequency of 441 and 91 kHz, respectively, and the measured temperature coefficients of the resonant frequency are −127×10−6/K and −115×10−6/K, respectively. It is demonstrated that self-oscillated resonant frequency of the bimetal oscillator changes in response to heat from a microheat source. Simultaneous measurements of topography and temperature profile with the temperature resolution of 0.12 K on a glass substrate heated using a thin chromium film microheater are successfully demonstrated. These results show potential abilities of the mechanical resonant thermal sensor.
Metallization induced by nitrogen atom adsorption on silicon nanofilms and nanowires
Authors: Yang X. B. , Zhang R. Q.
Published: March 2009

First-principles calculations on the electronic properties of silicon nanofilms and nanowires that were adsorbed with nitrogen atoms on (110) facets revealed the formation of N–Si–N–Si chains, which causes the conduction and valence bands to intersect and metallizes the system. The interaction between the nitrogen and silicon atoms on the surface was found to induce energy bands near the Fermi level. The metallic electronic states induced by surface adsorption could be expected to significantly improve the conducting properties of the Si nanostructures due to their large surface-to-volume ratio and thus has great implications for SiNWs in nanoelectronic applications.
GaAs
0.7
Sb
0.3
/
GaAs
type-II quantum well with an adjacent InAs quantum-dot stressor layer
Authors: Lin You-Ru , Lai Yi-Feng , Liu Chuan-Pu , Lin Hao-Hsiung
Published: March 2009

We report the optical properties of a composite structure comprising a type-II GaAs0.7Sb0.3/GaAs quantum well (QW) and an InAs quantum-dot (QD) layer adjacent to the QW. The low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) of the composite structure with a 5-nm-thick GaAs spacer demonstrates a redshift of 44 meV, as compared with that of GaAs0.7Sb0.3/GaAs single QW at low excitation level. The redshift reveals the existence of local potential minimums, induced by the stress exerted by the adjacent QDs, in the type-II QW. At higher temperature, the composite structure shows stronger PL intensity than the GaAs0.7Sb0.3 QW, indicating the potential of the applications to laser diodes.
Solution processed large area field effect transistors from dielectrophoreticly aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Stokes Paul , Silbar Eliot , Zayas Yashira M. , Khondaker Saiful I.
Published: March 2009

We demonstrate solution processable large area field effect transistors (FETs) from aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Commercially available, surfactant free CNTs suspended in aqueous solution were aligned between source and drain electrodes using ac dielectrophoresis technique. After removing the metallic nanotubes using electrical breakdown, the devices displayed p-type behavior with on-off ratios up to ∼2×104. The measured field effect mobilities are as high as 123 cm2/V s, which is three orders of magnitude higher than typical solution processed organic FET devices.
The luck of the referee draw: the effect of exchanging reviews
Authors: BORNMANN Lutz , DANIEL Hans‐Dieter
Published: March 2009

In journal peer review, editorial decisions on submitted manuscripts are informed by referees' expert recommendations; however, the choice of referees may affect these decisions. Using data from Angewandte Chemie International Edition (AC‐IE), this study tested what would have happened if referee reports had been received in a different order. In AC‐IE's peer‐review process, a manuscript is generally published only if two referees rate the results of the study as important and also recommend publication in the journal (what we have called the ‘clear‐cut’ rule). For 23% of those manuscripts for which a third referee report arrived after the editorial decision was made (37 of 162), this rule would have led to a different decision if the third report had replaced either of the others.
Book Reviews
Authors: RICHMOND Carole
Published: March 2009

Print for Victory: Book Publishing in England 1939–1945
Valerie Holman London, British Library, 2008, 304pp. ISBN 9780712350013, £30/$39.95, hbk
Suction is kid's play: extremely fast suction in newborn seahorses
Authors: Van Wassenbergh Sam , Roos Gert , Genbrugge Annelies , Leysen Heleen , Aerts Peter , Adriaens Dominique , Herrel Anthony
Published: March 2009

Ongoing anatomical development typically results in a gradual maturation of the feeding movements from larval to adult fishes. Adult seahorses are known to capture prey by rotating their long-snouted head extremely quickly towards prey, followed by powerful suction. This type of suction is powered by elastic recoil and requires very precise coordination of the movements of the associated feeding structures, making it an all-or-none phenomenon. Here, we show that newborn
Hippocampus reidi
are able to successfully feed using an extremely rapid and powerful snout rotation combined with a high-volume suction, surpassing that observed in adult seahorses. An inverse dynamic analysis shows that an elastic recoil mechanism is also used to power head rotation in newborn
H. reidi
. This illustrates how extreme levels of performance in highly complex musculoskeletal systems can be present at birth given a delayed birth and rapid development of functionally important structures. The fact that the head skeleton of newborn seahorses is still largely cartilaginous may not be problematic because the hydrodynamic stress on the rotating snout appeared considerably lower than in adult syngnathids.
Physiological tolerances account for range limits and abundance structure in an invasive slug
Authors: Lee Jennifer E , Janion Charlene , Marais Elrike , Jansen van Vuuren Bettine , Chown Steven L
Published: March 2009

Despite the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying range limits and abundance structure, few studies have sought to do so. Here we use a terrestrial slug species,Deroceras panormitanum, that has invaded a remote, largely predator-free, Southern Ocean island as a model system to do so. Across Marion Island, slug density does not conform to an abundant centre distribution. Rather, abundance structure is characterized by patches and gaps. These are associated with this desiccation-sensitive species' preference for biotic and drainage line habitats that share few characteristics except for their high humidity below the vegetation surface. The coastal range margin has a threshold form, rapidly rising from zero to high density. Slugs do not occur where soil-exchangeable Na values are higher than 3000 mg kg−1, and in laboratory experiments, survival is high below this value but negligible above it. Upper elevation range margins are a function of the inability of this species to survive temperatures below an absolute limit of −6.4°C, which is regularly exceeded at 200 m altitude, above which slug density declines to zero. However, the linear decline in density from the coastal peak is probably also a function of a decline in performance or time available for activity. This is probably associated with an altitudinal decline in mean annual soil temperature. These findings support previous predictions made regarding the form of density change when substrate or climatic factors set range limits.
Life on the edge: carnivore body size variation is all over the place
Authors: Meiri Shai , Dayan Tamar , Simberloff Daniel , Grenyer Richard
Published: March 2009

Evolutionary biologists have long been fascinated by both the ways in which species respond to ecological conditions at the edges of their geographic ranges and the way that species' body sizes evolve across their ranges. Surprisingly, though, the relationship between these two phenomena is rarely studied. Here, we examine whether carnivore body size changes from the interior of their geographic range towards the range edges. We find that within species, body size often varies strongly with distance from the range edge. However, there is no general tendency across species for size to be either larger or smaller towards the edge. There is some evidence that the smallest guild members increase in size towards their range edges, but results for the largest guild members are equivocal. Whether individuals vary in relation to the distance from the range edges often depends on the way edge and interior are defined. Neither geographic range size nor absolute body size influences the tendency of size to vary with distance from the range edge. Therefore, we suggest that the frequent significant association between body size and the position of individuals along the edge-core continuum reflects the prevalence of geographic size variation and that the distance to range edgeper sedoes not influence size evolution in a consistent way.
Trophic interactions and range limits: the diverse roles of predation
Authors: Holt Robert D , Barfield Michael
Published: March 2009

Interactions between natural enemies and their victims are a pervasive feature of the natural world. In this paper, we discuss trophic interactions as determinants of geographic range limits. Predators can directly limit ranges, or do so in conjunction with competition. Dispersal can at times permit a specialist predator to constrain the distribution of its prey—and thus itself—along a gradient. Conversely, we suggest that predators can also at times permit prey to have larger ranges than would be seen without predation. We discuss several ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that can lead to this counter-intuitive outcome.
Multiscale effects and capillary interactions in functional biomimetic surfaces for energy conversion and green engineering
Authors: Nosonovsky Michael , Bhushan Bharat
Published: March 2009

Biological surfaces (plant leaves, lizard and insect attachment pads, fish scales, etc.) have remarkable properties due to their hierarchical structure. This structure is a consequence of the hierarchical organization of biological tissues. The hierarchical organization of the surfaces allows plants and creatures to adapt to energy dissipation and transition mechanisms with various characteristic scale lengths. At the same time, an addition of a micro-/nanoscale hierarchical level, for example of surface roughness, can change qualitatively the properties of a system and introduce multiple equilibriums, instability and dissipation. Thus, small roughness has a large effect. In particular, a small change of surface roughness can lead to a large change in the capillary force. The capillary effects are crucial for small-scale applications. Multiscale organization of the biomimetic surfaces and their adaptation to capillary effects make them suitable for applications using new principles of energy transition (e.g. capillary engines) and environment-friendly technologies (e.g. self-cleaning oleophobic surfaces).