bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between XRF and EPMA applied to study the ionic exchange in zeolites
Authors: Galván V. , Torres Deluigi M. , Mentasty L. , De Vito I. , Riveros J. A.
Published: August 2009

Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates consisting of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedral as primary units. One peculiar characteristic of zeolites is the ion exchange capacity defined as the capacity to locate specific cations in the framework of zeolites; it depends on the chemical composition and varies with the structure of the zeolite and with the cation nature.

This work studies the exchange of the Na+ monovalent cation of 5A and 13X synthetic zeolites by the Ca2+ bivalent cation present in a CaCl2 solution. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques were used to determine the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The efficiencies of the two X‐ray detectors were compared and the minimum detection limits of the zeolite elements were calculated.

Although both techniques differ in the sample excitation mode, the results obtained were compatible. The results showed that the CEC was higher for the 5A zeolite, in agreement with its lower SiO2/Al2O3 ratio and its greater BET area. It was also found that the amount of Na+ ions exchanged by Ca2+ ions was in complete agreement with the corresponding molar balance. The determination of the CEC using X‐ray spectroscopy techniques can be considered a novelty as XRF and EPMA techniques permit to analyze the sample directly. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementing Fast‐Track Protocol for Colorectal Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ionescu Daniela , Iancu Cornel , Ion Daniela , Al‐Hajjar Nadim , Margarit Simona , Mocan Lucian , Mocan Teodora , Deac Delia , Bodea Raluca , Vasian Horatiu
Published: August 2009

Background

Fast‐track protocols are followed by an enhanced recovery, early return to bowel function and to complete nutrition, and a reduced hospital stay. Our study was designed to implement fast‐track protocol in our university hospital.

Methods

The 96 consecutive patients with colorectal neoplasm included in the study were randomized in two equal groups: group 1 (FT) included patients undergoing colorectal surgery in a fast‐track protocol, and group 2 (C) included patients undergoing colorectal surgery with a conventional care protocol. As with other fast‐track protocols, our protocol included carbohydrate fluids load before operation, early mobilization and oral feeding, regular prokinetics, and multimodal postoperative analgesia. Time to restoration of bowel function, to complete mobilization and feeding, length of hospital stay, and incidence of complications and readmissions were monitored.

Results

Time to mobilization, restoring of bowel function, and complete oral feeding were significantly shorter with fast‐track protocol (p = 0.001, p = 0.042, and p = 0.01, respectively). Hospital stay also was shorter in the fast‐track group (p = 0.001). The incidence of complications did not significantly differ with the study groups.

Conclusions

In our study, fast‐track protocol resulted in a shorter time to mobilization, complete feeding, and discharge from hospital. Fast‐track protocol did not increase the incidence of complications. However, we consider that our data require further confirmation with powered multicenter national studies.
Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: the Kyoto experience
Authors: Takada Yasutsugu , Uemoto Shinji
Published: August 2009

Background/purpose

The results of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at Kyoto University were analyzed.

Methods

Between February 1999 and December 2006, 136 patients with HCC underwent LDLT. Of these, 74 patients met the Milan criteria, while 62 patients did not. Treatment for HCC had been previously performed prior to LDLT for 101 patients (74%).

Results

According to the results of multivariate analysis of risk factors for recurrence among preoperative tumor variables, we have defined new Kyoto criteria as ≤10 tumors all ≤5 cm in diameter and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II) ≤400 mAU/ml. The 5‐year recurrence rate was significantly lower for the 85 patients who met the Kyoto criteria than for the 45 patients who exceeded them (3 vs. 54%,p < 0.0001). Similarly, patients who met the Kyoto criteria showed a significantly better 5‐year survival rate (87%) than those who did not (36%,p < 0.0001). Survival rates did not differ between pretreated and primary groups, and recurrence rates were similarly low when limited to patients who met the Kyoto criteria.

Conclusions

The proposed Kyoto criteria are expected to serve efficiently as expanded selection criteria for LDLT in patients with HCC. History of previous treatments did not affect outcomes after LDLT.
The Influence of an Adsorbate Layer on Adatom Diffusion and Island Nucleation: Fe on Si(111)-√3 x √3-Au
Authors: Paredis K , Smeets D , Vantomme A
Published: August 2009

Using scanning tunneling microscopy, the influence of a thin Au layer on the diffusion of Fe adatoms and the subsequent island nucleation on a Si(111) surface is investigated. The adsorbate induces the"Equation missing"structure that increases the surface mobility of subsequently deposited Fe atoms, resulting in the formation well-defined nanoclusters. Surprisingly, the domain walls—inherent to the "Equation missing"reconstruction—do not influence the surface diffusion, which demonstrates that the passivation is of much more importance for the self-assembly than the surface corrugation. Using the decoupling of the diffusion and nucleationon the surface and the reactionwith the surface and conventional nucleation theory, the activation energy for surface diffusionE
d = 0.61 eV and the critical cluster sizei = 3 are determined, which reveal the microscopic details of the diffusion and nucleation processes.
A counterexample to generalizations of the Milnor-Bloch-Kato conjecture
Authors: Spiess Michael , Yamazaki Takao
Published: August 2009

We construct an example of a torus T over a field K for which the Galois symbol K(K;T,T)/nK(K;T,T) → H2(K,T[n] ⊗ T[n]) is not injective for some n. Here K(K;T,T) is the Milnor K-group attached to T introduced by Somekawa. We show also that the motive M(T × T) gives a counterexample to another generalization of the Milnor-Bloch-Kato conjecture (proposed by Beilinson).
Vector Bundles and Gromov–Hausdorff Distance
Authors: Rieffel Marc A.
Published: August 2009

We show how to make precise the vague idea that for compact metric spaces that are close together for Gromov–Hausdorff distance, suitable vector bundles on one metric space will have counterpart vector bundles on the other. Our approach employs the Lipschitz constants of projection-valued functions that determine vector bundles. We develop some computational techniques, and we illustrate our ideas with simple specific examples involving vector bundles on the circle, the two-torus, the two-sphere, and finite metric spaces. Our topic is motivated by statements concerning “monopole bundles” over matrix algebras in the literature of theoretical high-energy physics.
The effect of age and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on human intestinal microbiota composition
Authors: Mäkivuokko Harri , Tiihonen Kirsti , Tynkkynen Soile , Paulin Lars , Rautonen Nina
Published: August 2009

Ageing has been suggested to cause changes in the intestinal microbial community. In the present study, the microbiota of a previously well-defined group of elderly subjects aged between 70 and 85 years, both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) users (n9) and non-users (n9), were further compared with young adults (n14) with a mean age of 28 years, by two DNA-based techniques: percentage guanine+cytosine (%G+C) profiling and 16S rDNA sequencing. Remarkable changes in microbiota were described with both methods: compared with young adults a significant reduction in overall numbers of microbes in both elderly groups was measured. Moreover, the total number of microbes in elderly NSAID users was higher than in elderly without NSAID. In 16S rDNA sequencing, shifts in all major microbial phyla, such as lower numbers of Firmicutes and an increase in numbers of Bacteroidetes in the elderly were monitored. On the genus level an interesting link between reductions in the proportion of known butyrate producers belonging toClostridiumcluster XIVa, such asRoseburiaandRuminococcus, could be demonstrated in the elderly. Moreover, in the Actinobacteria group, lower numbers ofCollinsellaspp. were evident in the elderly subjects with NSAID compared both with young adults and the elderly without NSAID, suggesting that the use of NSAID along with age may also influence the composition of intestinal microbiota. Furthermore, relatively high numbers ofLactobacillusappeared only in the elderly subjects without NSAID. In general, the lowered numbers of microbial members in the major phyla, Firmicutes, together with changes in the epithelial layer functions can have a significant effect on the colon health of the elderly.
GENDER DIFFERENCES AS FACTORS IN SUCCESSFUL AGEING: A FOCUS ON SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
Authors: PARK SANG-MI , JANG SOONG-NANG , KIM DONG-HYUN
Published: August 2009

Over the past century, the population of Korea has aged rapidly as a result of decreasing fertility and mortality. Furthermore, the percentage of the population aged 65 and older is expected to double from 7% to 14% within 18 years, a much shorter doubling period than in most other developed countries. As Korean society ages, interest in healthy and successful ageing has increased. However, although previous studies have examined various determinants of successful ageing, such as socioeconomic status, gender differences have been neglected. This study investigated gender differences as factors in successful ageing among elderly men and women. Successful ageing has been defined as having high levels of physical and social functioning. Physical functioning includes having no difficulties with activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Social functioning is defined as participation in at least one of the following social activities: paid work, religious gatherings or volunteer service. Data for this study were obtained from a representative sample of 761 community-living individuals aged 65–84 years (340 males, 421 females); the respondents were interviewed face-to-face as part of the third wave of the Hallym Ageing Study (2007). Socioeconomic status appears to have a greater gender-specific effect on physical functioning than on social functioning. Especially for elderly men, a higher monthly individual income was significantly related to a higher level of physical functioning. Among elderly women, a higher level of education was associated with a higher level of physical functioning. In a major metropolis, elderly men had low social functioning and elderly women had low physical functioning. As Korea's population ages, successful ageing has received much attention. This study shows that policies promoting successful ageing must consider gender differences and associated socioeconomic factors.
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF NORWEGIAN MEN: INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL AND EARLY INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: KRISTENSEN PETTER , GRAVSETH HANS M. , BJERKEDAL TOR
Published: August 2009

The life course perspective in social inequalities in health research has resulted in an increased interest in status attainment processes. Adult status is commonly measured as occupational class, income level or educational attainment, and the latter was applied in this study. The study objective was to estimate the relative contribution of parental and early individual characteristics on educational attainment. The study population comprised all males born in Norway in 1967–1971, and alive at age 28 years (n=160,914). Data on social and biological variables were compiled from birth onwards in several national registers. Information on educational attainment at age 28 years was derived from Statistics Norway. Mean years of education was 12.62 years (SD 2.24). Educational attainment was strongly associated with general ability score at age 18 years and parental educational attainment. Parental income had more limited influence; all other early factors had only marginal effect. Path analysis results suggest that the direct effect of general ability was of the same size as the combined direct and indirect effect of parental education and income. The results suggest that status attainment in this young male population is mainly dependent on general ability and parental education level.
The forced motion of a flag
Authors: MANELA A. , HOWE M. S.
Published: August 2009

The prevailing view of the dynamics of flapping flags is that the onset of motion is caused by temporal instability of the initial planar state. This view is re-examined by considering the linearized two-dimensional motion of a flag immersed in a high-Reynolds-number flow and taking account of forcing by a ‘street’ of vortices shed periodically from its cylindrical pole. The zone of nominal instability is determined by analysis of the self-induced motion in the absence of shed vorticity, including the balance between flag inertia, bending rigidity, varying tension and fluid loading. Forced motion is then investigated by separating the flag deflection into ‘vortex-induced’ and ‘self’ components. The former is related directly to the motion that would be generated by the shed vortices if the flag were absent. This component serves as an inhomogeneous forcing term in the equation satisfied by the ‘self’ motion. It is found that forced flapping is possible whenever the Reynolds number based on the pole diameter ReD ≳ 100, such that a wake of distinct vortex structures is established behind the pole. Such conditions typically prevail at mean flow velocities significantly lower than the critical threshold values predicted by the linear theory. It is therefore argued that analyses of the onset of flag motion that are based on ideal, homogeneous flag theory are incomplete and that consideration of the pole-induced fluid flow is essential at all relevant wind speeds.
Institutions, Political Conflict and the Cohesion of Policy Networks in the Chilean Congress, 1961–2006
Authors: ALEMÁN EDUARDO
Published: August 2009

This paper focuses on congressional politics in Chile before and after the 1973 coup. It challenges a common perspective that sees the congressional decay of the early 1970s as being caused by stringent limits on particularistic bills and by presidents with wide-ranging formal prerogatives. It presents an alternative argument that focuses on electoral competition and ideological radicalisation, derives testable implications, and provides the first empirical comparison of legislative behaviour before and after the 1973 coup. The evidence, which centres on the analysis of policy networks derived from the joint sponsorship of legislation, appears incompatible with the implications of the conventional argument.
Bringing the Economic Back In: Andean Indians and the Construction of the Nation-State in Nineteenth-Century Bolivia
Authors: LANGER ERICK D.
Published: August 2009

Using the example of nineteenth-century Bolivia, this article argues that economic motivations need to be taken into account in understanding the role of peasants in constructing Latin American nation-states, especially in the Andes. Based on local archives, it considers the case of the altiplano region of Oruro-Poopó. From this perspective, during the half-century that followed independence, Andean communities were mostly in favour of a free-trade regime. They were integrated into the nation-state, but in a subordinate position. By the 1850s there was such prosperity in trading activities that community members refused to participate as authorities in their communities due to the time it would consume. However, the assault on community lands that began in the 1860s impoverished the Indians and marginalised them as peasants, turning them into a threat to the new, racist nation-state.
Hierarchical Market Economies and Varieties of Capitalism in Latin America
Authors: SCHNEIDER BEN ROSS
Published: August 2009

The extensive scholarship on ‘varieties of capitalism’ offers some conceptual and theoretical innovations that can be fruitfully employed to analyse the distinctive institutional foundations of capitalism in Latin America, or what could be called hierarchical market economies (HMEs). This perspective helps identify four core features of HMEs in Latin America that structure business access to essential inputs of capital, technology and labour: diversified business groups, multinational corporations (MNCs), low-skilled labour, and atomistic labour relations. Overall non-market, hierarchical relations in business groups and MNCs are central in organising capital and technology in Latin America, and are also pervasive in labour market regulation, union representation and employment relations. Important complementarities exist among these features, especially between MNCs and diversified business groups, as well as mutually reinforcing tendencies between these dominant corporate forms and general under-investment in skills and in well-mediated employment relations. These four features of HMEs, their common reliance on hierarchy, and the particular interactions among them add up to a distinct variety of capitalism, different from those identified in developed countries and other developing regions.
SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND COMMUNICATION IN TOURETTE'S SYNDROME
Authors: Burd Larry , Christensen Trent , Kerbeshian Jacob
Published: August 2009

In this article we review the relationship between Tourette's syndrome (TS) and speech, language, and communication disorders. We consider TS to be a neurodevelopmental disorder with an increased rate of co-occurring (comorbid) disorders. We have organized the available research into topical areas for convenience of review. These areas are tic insertion into speech, learning disabilities, speech abnormalities, expressive and receptive language impairments, coprophenomena, writing and tics, signing and tic premonitory phenomena, and TS. We conclude with a discussion of the interplay between neurological function and mental factors on expression and outcome of this relationship. We offer discussion of a research agenda to advance the science in this area.
LANGUAGE AND WILLIAMS SYNDROME
Authors: Hsu Ching-fen , Karmiloff-Smith Annette
Published: August 2009

Most aspects of human life—from gene expression, to brain structure/function, to underlying linguistic and cognitive processes, through to overt language production and comprehension behaviors—are the result of dynamic developmental processes, in which timing plays a crucial role. So, the study of language acquisition in developmental disorders such as Williams syndrome (WS) needs to change from the still widely held view that developmental disorders can be accounted for in terms of spared versus impaired modules to one that takes serious account of the fact that the infant cortex passes from an initial state of high regional interconnectivity to a subsequent state of progressively increasing specialization and localization of functional brain networks. With such early interconnectivity in mind, developmental neuroscientists must explore the possibility that a small perturbation in low-level processes in one part of the brain very early in development can result in serious deficits in higher-level processes in another part of the brain later in development. Therefore, in profiling developmental disorders of language such as in WS, it is vital to start in early infancy, from which to trace the full trajectory of the interactions of language and other cognitive processes across infancy, toddlerhood, and childhood, through to adolescence and adulthood.
LANGUAGE, AUTISM, AND CHILDHOOD: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Solomon Olga
Published: August 2009

This article reviews recent ethnographic studies on how children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) use language in their everyday lives: how they are socialized into sociocultural competence, how they participate in the social world as members of families and communities, how they draw on structural properties of social interaction to participate in everyday talk, and to what extent the European Americanhabitusof child-directed communication supports or hinders their communicative development. Other studies reviewed in this article examine language use in autism in relation to narrative, question–answer sequences, bilingualism, accountability and morality, and politeness. The studies frame autism more ethno-methodologically than clinically and capture how children with ASD actively participate in the co-construction of their life worlds through communication with others. This perspective makes visible aspects of language use and everyday experiences of children with ASD and their families that are usually obscured in other theoretical approaches to autism. Through participant observation and extensive naturalistic data collection involving video and audio recording of everyday interaction, ethnographic studies reviewed in this article shed light on patterns of language use and link these patterns to particular cultural practices, making language of children with autism more intelligible and interpretable.
Parental Criticism and Adolescent Depression: Does Adolescent Self-Evaluation Act as a Mediator?
Authors: Bolton Catherine , Barrowclough Christine , Calam Rachel
Published: August 2009

Background: A better understanding of relationships between adolescent depression and family functioning may help in devising ways to prevent development of depression and design effective therapeutic interventions. Aims: This study explored the relationship of parental emotional attitudes, (perceived criticism and expressed emotion) to adolescent self-evaluation and depression. Methods: A sample of 28 clinic-referred adolescents and their mothers participated. The Five Minute Speech Sample was used to measure parental expressed emotion, and the adolescents completed the Children's Depression Inventory, Self-Perception Profile for Children global self-worth scale, a self-criticism scale and a perceived parental criticism scale. Results: There was partial support for a model of adolescent negative self-evaluation as a mediator in the relationship between parental emotional attitudes and adolescent depressive symptoms. The data also supported an alternative hypothesis whereby adolescent depressive symptoms are related to negative self-evaluation. Conclusions: The overall pattern of results emphasizes the significance of adolescents' perceptions of parental criticism, rather than actual levels, in understanding the relationship between parental emotional attitudes and adolescent depressive symptoms.
Longitudinal effects of PTSD on memory functioning
Authors: SAMUELSON KRISTIN W. , NEYLAN THOMAS C. , LENOCI MARYANNE , METZLER THOMAS J. , CARDENAS VALERIE , WEINER MICHAEL W. , MARMAR CHARLES R.
Published: August 2009

Numerous studies have demonstrated explicit and working memory deficits related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but few have addressed longitudinal changes in memory functioning. There is some evidence to suggest an interactive effect of PTSD and aging on verbal memory decline in Holocaust survivors (Yehuda et al., 2006). However, the longitudinal trajectory of neuropsychological functioning has not been investigated in Vietnam veterans, a younger but substantial population of aging trauma survivors. We administered tests of visual and verbal memory, and working memory to derive different dependent measures in veterans between the ages of 41 and 63, the majority of whom served in the Vietnam War. Twenty-five veterans with PTSD and 22 veterans without PTSD were assessed over two time points (mean age at follow-up = 54.0; mean inter-test interval = 34 months). The PTSD+ group, consisting of veterans with chronic, primarily combat-related PTSD, did not show a significant change in PTSD symptoms over time. Compared to veterans without PTSD, veterans with PTSD showed a greater decline in delayed facial recognition only, and this decline was extremely subtle. (JINS, 2009, 15, 853–861.)
Neuropsychological findings in childhood neglect and their relationships to pediatric PTSD
Authors: DE BELLIS MICHAEL D. , HOOPER STEPHEN R. , SPRATT EVE G. , WOOLLEY DONALD P.
Published: August 2009

Although child neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment, the neurocognitive effects of neglect are understudied. We examined IQ, reading, mathematics, and neurocognitive domains of fine-motor skills, language, visual-spatial, memory/learning, and attention/executive functions in two groups of nonsexually abused medically healthy neglected children, one withDSM-IVposttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and one without, and a demographically similar healthy nonmaltreated control group. Significantly lower IQ, reading, mathematics, and selected differences in complex visual attention, visual memory, language, verbal memory and learning, planning, problem solving, and speeded naming were seen in Neglect Groups. The Neglect with PTSD Group performed worse than controls on NEPSY Design Copying, NEPSY Tower, and Mathematics; and performed worse than controls and Neglect without PTSD on NEPSY Memory for Faces-Delayed. Negative correlations were seen between PTSD symptoms, PTSD severity, and maltreatment variables, and IQ, Academic Achievement, and neurocognitive domains. Neglected children demonstrated significantly lower neurocognitive outcomes and academic achievement than controls. Lower IQ, neurocognitive functions, and achievement may be associated with more PTSD symptoms (particularly re-experiencing symptoms), greater PTSD severity, and a greater number of maltreatment experiences. Trauma experiences may additionally contribute to subsequent neurodevelopmental risk in neglected children. (JINS, 2009,15, 868–878.)
The influence of pre-deployment neurocognitive functioning on post-deployment PTSD symptom outcomes among Iraq-deployed Army soldiers
Authors: MARX BRIAN P. , DORON-LAMARCA SUSAN , PROCTOR SUSAN P. , VASTERLING JENNIFER J.
Published: August 2009

This study evaluated associations between pre-deployment neurocognitive performance and post-deployment posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a sample of deployed active duty Army soldiers. As part of a larger longitudinal study, each participant completed baseline measures of memory, executive attention, and response inhibition, and baseline and post-deployment self-report measures of PTSD symptom severity. Data were subjected to multiple regression analyses that examined associations between baseline neurocognitive performances and longitudinal PTSD symptom outcome. Results revealed that pre-trauma immediate recall of visual information was associated with post-deployment PTSD symptom severity, even after controlling for pre-deployment PTSD symptom levels, combat intensity, age, gender, and test-retest interval. There was also an interaction between pre-deployment PTSD symptom severity and pre-deployment immediate visual recall and verbal learning, indicating that neurocognitive performances were more strongly (and negatively) associated with residualized post-deployment PTSD symptoms at higher levels of pre-deployment PTSD symptoms. These findings highlight the potential role of pre-trauma neurocognitive functioning in moderating the effects of trauma exposure on PTSD symptoms.(JINS, 2009,15, 840–852.)
Cognitive impairment and functioning in PTSD related to intimate partner violence
Authors: TWAMLEY ELIZABETH W. , ALLARD CAROLYN B. , THORP STEVEN R. , NORMAN SONYA B. , HAMI CISSELL SHADHA , HUGHES BERARDI KELLY , GRIMES ERIN M. , STEIN MURRAY B.
Published: August 2009

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with neuropsychological impairments across multiple domains, but consensus regarding the cognitive profile of PTSD has not been reached. In this study of women with PTSD related to intimate partner violence (n = 55) and healthy, demographically similar comparison participants (NCs; n = 20), we attempted to control for many potential confounds in PTSD samples. All participants were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery emphasizing executive functioning, including inhibition, switching, and abstraction. NCs outperformed PTSD participants on most neuropsychological measures, but the differences were significant only on speeded tasks (with and without executive functioning components). The PTSD group’s mean performance was within the average range on all neuropsychological tests. Within the PTSD group, more severe PTSD symptoms were associated with slower processing speed, and more severe dissociative symptoms were associated with poorer reasoning performance. These results suggest that women with PTSD related to intimate partner violence demonstrate slower than normal processing speed, which is associated with the severity of psychiatric symptoms. We speculate that the cognitive slowing seen in PTSD may be attributable to reduced attention due to a need to allocate resources to cope with psychological distress or unpleasant internal experiences. (JINS, 2009, 15, 879–887.)
Race judicata: The Ban on the Use of Ethnic and Racial Statistics in France
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: August 2009

Constitutionality of ethnic and racial statistics for research purposes – Principles of indivisibility and equality in Article 1 of the French Constitution – Visible minorities, discrimination and positive action measures – French republican conception of citizenship – Use of the word ‘race’ – Fear of misuse of ethnic and racial statistics – French alternative of territorial measures – Educational and fiscal advantages – Violation of the right to equal access to education – Ghettoisation – Problems in consideration of Directive 2000/43 (the Race Directive)
Handle with Care!: The Regional Charters and Italian Constitutionalism's ‘Grey Zone’
Authors: Delledonne Giacomo , Martinico Giuseppe
Published: August 2009

Founding principles and rights in new Statuti (fundamental regional charters) – Expression of sub – national constitutionalism? – Constitutional court: Statuti not regional constitutions – Provisions on founding principles and rights ‘cultural statements’ lacking any legal effect – Tertium Genus in addition to ‘prescriptive’ and ‘programmatic’ norms? – Various scenarios for potential legal conflicts between the national Constitution and the ‘cultural statements’
International Law as a Tool for the European Union
Authors: de Witte Bruno
Published: August 2009

International law in constitutional change of EU – Rigidity of amendment – EU amending and accession treaties not reviewable – International law in internal development of Union law – Conventions/treaties by member states jointly – Acts of the representatives of the governments – International law in the agreements with third states – Exportation of legal rules – Conditionality policies – Legislating through international agreements
International Trade Law: the Impact of Justiciability and Separations of Powers in EC Law
Authors: Cottier Thomas
Published: August 2009

Direct effect of international agreements – WTO – Current jurisprudence and theories – Implications for separation of powers and checks and balances – Justiciability – Criticism of current standards: precision and reciprocity – Reversal of dual concept in EU external relations
Improved multisensor approach to satellite‐retrieved near‐surface specific humidity observations
Authors: Jackson Darren L. , Wick Gary A. , Robertson Franklin R.
Published: August 2009

A multisensor microwave retrieval of near‐surface 10 m specific humidity (Qa) using satellite observations from the advanced microwave sounding unit‐A (AMSU‐A), the Special Sensor Microwave Temperature Sounder‐2, and the Special Sensor Microwave Imager is improved upon in this study. Refinements to the regression formula, training data set, collocation procedure, and height adjustment to 10 m were used to improve retrievals from two different sensor combinations. Independent validation with the International Comprehensive Ocean‐Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) indicates a lower overall bias of ∼0.3 g/kg and a smaller root‐mean‐square difference of ∼0.4 g/kg than with several previously published single‐sensor Qa retrievals. A significant regional Qa wet bias of ∼3 g/kg in the summer over the North Pacific was found for all satellite retrievals, and a correction was developed using an inversion index defined using sea surface temperature and AMSU‐A lower tropospheric temperature observations. An assessment of ICOADS ship and buoy validation data indicated uncertainties related to height adjustments of these in situ observations to be 0.2–0.4 g/kg, while hygrometer differences and solar heating effects had smaller uncertainties of less than 0.05 g/kg. Validation of the updated multisensor retrievals with ICOADS over an 8‐year period from 1999 to 2006 revealed a reduced magnitude of the regional biases when compared to previously published retrievals. Regional Qa differences, particularly in the subtropical high regions, are shown to play a significant role in determination of surface latent heat flux.
A nudging data assimilation algorithm for the identification of groundwater pumping
Authors: Cheng Wei‐Chen , Kendall Donald R. , Putti Mario , Yeh William W.‐G.
Published: August 2009

This study develops a nudging data assimilation algorithm for estimating unknown pumping from private wells in an aquifer system using measured data of hydraulic head. The proposed algorithm treats the unknown pumping as an additional sink term in the governing equation of groundwater flow and provides a consistent physical interpretation for pumping rate identification. The algorithm identifies the unknown pumping and, at the same time, reduces the forecast error in hydraulic heads. We apply the proposed algorithm to the Las Posas Groundwater Basin in southern California. We consider the following three pumping scenarios: constant pumping rates, spatially varying pumping rates, and temporally varying pumping rates. We also study the impact of head measurement errors on the proposed algorithm. In the case study we seek to estimate the six unknown pumping rates from private wells using head measurements from four observation wells. The results show an excellent rate of convergence for pumping estimation. The case study demonstrates the applicability, accuracy, and efficiency of the proposed data assimilation algorithm for the identification of unknown pumping in an aquifer system.
Stochastic analysis of transport in hillslopes: Travel time distribution and source zone dispersion
Authors: Fiori A. , Russo D. , Di Lazzaro M.
Published: August 2009

A stochastic model is developed for the analysis of the traveltime distribution fτ in a hillslope. The latter is described as made up from a surficial soil underlain by a less permeable subsoil or bedrock. The heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity K is described as a stationary random space function, and the model is based on the Lagrangian representation of transport. A first‐order approach in the log conductivity variance is adopted in order to get closed form solutions for the principal statistical moments of the traveltime. Our analysis indicates that the soil is mainly responsible for the early branch of fτ, i.e., the rapid release of solute which preferentially moves through the upper soil. The early branch of fτ is a power law, with exponent variable between −1 and −0.5; the behavior is mainly determined by unsaturated transport. The subsoil response is slower than that of the soil. The subsoil is mainly responsible for the tail of fτ, which in many cases resembles the classic linear reservoir model. The resulting shape for fτ is similar to the Gamma distribution. Analysis of the fτ moments indicates that the mean traveltime is weakly dependent on the hillslope size. The traveltime variance is ruled by the distribution of distances of the injected solute from the river; the effect is coined as source zone dispersion. The spreading due to the K heterogeneity is less important and obscured by source zone dispersion. The model is tested against the numerical simulation of Fiori and Russo (2008) with reasonably good agreement, with no fitting procedure.
How rigid is Europe's lithosphere?
Authors: Tesauro Magdala , Kaban Mikhail K. , Cloetingh Sierd A. P. L.
Published: August 2009

The integrated strength distribution and variations of the effective elastic plate thickness (Te) have been estimated for the European lithosphere based on thermal and rheological data for the crust and upper mantle. The new results show a significant spatial variability demonstrating that both ‘jelly sandwich’ and ‘crème brûlée’ models might be valid depending on lithospheric physical conditions. In most of Europe crustal strength provides a relatively large contribution (∼50%) to the lithospheric strength. Western Europe appears mostly characterized by mechanically decoupled lithospheric layers, low strength and Te < 30 km. The contribution of the mechanically strong mantle to Te is low in most parts of western Europe. No clear relationship between Te and thermal age is found in the continent: the values for the tectonic provinces older than 85 Ma are significantly smaller than theoretically expected for their age and crustal thickness, whereas the opposite is true for the younger provinces.
Zeta determinants for regular-singular Laplace-type operators
Authors: Vertman Boris
Published: August 2009

We discuss a specific class of regular-singular Laplace-type operators with matrix coefficients. Their zeta determinants were studied by Kirsten, Loya, and Park [Manuscr. Math. 125, 95 (2008)] on the basis of the Contour integral method, with general boundary conditions at the singularity and Dirichlet boundary conditions at the regular boundary. We complete the arguments of Kirsten, Loya, and Park by explicitly verifying that the Contour integral method indeed applies in the regular-singular setup. Further we extend the zeta-determinant computations to generalized Neumann boundary conditions at the regular boundary and apply our results to compute zeta determinants of Laplacians on a bounded generalized cone with relative ideal boundary conditions.
Stable and reproducible electronic conduction through DNA molecular junctions
Authors: Mahapatro Ajit K. , Lee Gil U. , Jeong Kyung J. , Janes David B.
Published: August 2009

This letter presents the observation of stable and reproducible electronic conduction through double stranded (ds) DNA molecules in a nominally dry state. Stable conduction was realized by immobilizing 15 base-pair guanine:cytosine rich dsDNA within gold nanogap junctions, stabilizing the dsDNA with a polycation, and characterizing in nitrogen. In air, the current levels decrease with successive voltage scans likely due to oxidation of the guanine bases under bias. In nitrogen, reproducible current-voltage traces are observed and the current levels at specific bias points are stable with time. The stability allows comprehensive electrical studies and could enable conductance-based DNA sensors.
A complete cosmological solution to the averaged Einstein field equations as found in macroscopic gravity
Authors: van den Hoogen R. J.
Published: August 2009

A formalism for analyzing the complete set of field equations describing macroscopic gravity is presented. Using this formalism, a cosmological solution to the macroscopic gravity equations is determined. It is found that if a particular segment of the connection correlation tensor is zero and if the macroscopic geometry is described by a flat Robertson–Walker metric, then the effective correction to the averaged Einstein field equations of general relativity i.e., the backreaction, is equivalent to a positive spatial curvature term. This investigation completes the analysis of Coley et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 151102 (2005)], and the formalism developed provides a possible basis for future studies.
Controlled nanoporous Pt morphologies by varying deposition parameters
Authors: Antoniou Antonia , Bhattacharrya Dhriti , Baldwin J. Kevin , Goodwin Peter , Nastasi Michael , Picraux S. T. , Misra Amit
Published: August 2009

We synthesize nanoporous platinum (np-Pt) through electrochemical dealloying in aqueous HF from cosputtered PtxSi1−x amorphous films for different initial composition and sputter bias conditions. We demonstrate that, in addition to the expected isotropic open cell np-Pt foam, anisotropic (columnar and Voronoi) np-Pt is obtained. There are two levels of anisotropy: on the micron scale, 100 nm columns or 1 μm Voronoi polygons form. Inside the columnar and Voronoi hyperstructures, the ligaments and pores are anisotropic ranging from 5 to 25 nm. The ligament diameter and grain size is 5 nm for all reported structures. A processing-structure map is developed that correlate np-Pt structures to processing conditions.
Recombination-induced stacking fault degradation of 4H-SiC merged-PiN-Schottky diodes
Authors: Caldwell J. D. , Stahlbush R. E. , Imhoff E. A. , Hobart K. D. , Tadjer M. J. , Zhang Q. , Agarwal A.
Published: August 2009

The increase in the forward voltage drop observed in 4H-SiC bipolar devices due to recombination-induced stacking fault (SF) creation and expansion has been widely discussed in the literature. It was long believed that the deleterious effect of these defects was limited to bipolar devices. Recent reports point to similar degradation in 4H-SiC DMOSFETs, a primarily unipolar device, which was thought to be SF-related. Here we report similar degradation of both unipolar and bipolar operation of merged-PiN-Schottky diodes, a hybrid device capable of both unipolar and bipolar operation. Furthermore, we report on the observation of the temperature-mediation of this degradation and the observation of the current-induced recovery phenomenon. These observations leave little doubt that this degradation is SF-induced and that if SFs are present, that they will adversely affect both bipolar and unipolar characteristics.
Flux-closure chirality control and domain wall trapping in asymmetric magnetic ring
Authors: Wang X. H. , Peng W. K. , Lew W. S.
Published: August 2009

A technique for flux-closure chirality control and domain wall trapping at the narrowest position in asymmetric magnetic ring is proposed. Micromagnetic simulation work was performed on permalloy asymmetric magnetic rings to observe its magnetic switching behavior. By controlling the lateral geometric features, the ring asymmetry, and the thickness of the film, a local vortex-free reversal process and well-controlled chirality of flux closure can be achieved. Furthermore, a domain wall trapping feature is also observed at the narrow arm of the asymmetric ring, which corresponds to the phenomenon that the magnetic domain wall does not annihilate until the magnetization in the wide arm reversed in a relatively large magnetic field. A phase diagram of the asymmetric ring switching behavior shows that the switching regimes (e.g., the domain wall propagation or nucleation annihilation) of the asymmetric rings and the domain wall pinning depend mainly on the film thickness.
Correlation between a threshold failure time and void nucleation for describing the bimodal electromigration behavior of copper interconnects
Authors: Filippi R. G. , Wang P.-C. , Brendler A. , Lloyd J. R.
Published: August 2009

Electromigration testing of an interconnect system comprised of copper metallization and a low-k dielectric material gives rise to bimodal lognormal statistics with early and late fails. When separated from one another, we observed failure modes characterized by a three-parameter lognormal distribution and the same threshold failure time. It is shown that the threshold failure time corresponds to damage (presumably voids) nucleation of the electromigration process. The dependence of the threshold failure time and the median time to failure on current density suggests that both void nucleation and void growth need to be considered for accurate modeling of the electromigration lifetime.
Identification of hydrogen and deuterium at the surface of water ice by reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy
Authors: Yubero F. , Tőkési K.
Published: August 2009

A nondestructive method to distinguish between hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D) at surfaces by reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy is presented. It is based on the analysis of the energy distributions of electrons elastically backscattered from surfaces containing H or D. We consider standard and deuterated water ices as test surfaces. The recoil energy of the backscattered electrons depends on the atomic mass of the targets, and the contributions of H, D, and O to the measured spectra can be easily separated. The results of Monte Carlo simulations corroborate the experimental findings.
A simple model for the treatment of imaginary frequencies in chemical reaction rates and molecular liquids
Authors: Liu Jian , Miller William H.
Published: August 2009

A simple model is presented for treating local imaginary frequencies that are important in the study of quantum effects in chemical reactions and various dynamical processes in molecular liquids. It significantly extends the range of accuracy of conventional local harmonic approximations (LHAs) used in the linearized semiclassical initial value representation/classical Wigner approximation for real time correlation functions. The key idea is realizing that a local Gaussian approximation (LGA) for the momentum distribution (from the Wigner function involving the Boltzmann operator) can be a good approximation even when a LHA for the potential energy surface fails. The model is applied here to two examples where imaginary frequencies play a significant role: the chemical reaction rate for a linear model of the H+H2 reaction and an analogous asymmetric barrier—a case where the imaginary frequency of the barrier dominates the process—and for momentum autocorrelation functions in liquid para-hydrogen at two thermal state points (25 and 14 K under nearly zero external pressure). We also generalize the LGA model to the Feynman–Kleinert approximation.
Effects of optical forces on the transmission of magnetic fluids investigated by Z-scan technique
Authors: Meng Zi-Ming , Liu Hai-Ying , Zhao Wei-Ren , Zhang Wei , Deng Hai-Dong , Dai Qiao-Feng , Wu Li-Jun , Lan Sheng , Gopal Achanta Venu
Published: August 2009

The dependence of the transmission behavior of magnetic fluids on the incident power density of a laser beam is investigated and the conventional Z-scan technique is employed to continuously vary the optical forces induced by the laser beam. We calculate the optical forces exerted on magnetic nanoparticles and compare them with those for gold and silica nanoparticles. It is found that the optical forces for magnetic nanoparticles are comparable to those for gold nanoparticles. In addition, the calculation results show that the absorption force is dominant at low incident power densities while the gradient and scattering forces become significant at high incident power densities when the clustering of magnetic nanoparticles occurs. In Z-scan experiments, it is observed that the evolution of the Z-scan trace of a magnetic fluid with increasing incident power density cannot be explained only by the nonlinear absorption of the magnetic fluid induced by the thermal diffusion of magnetic nanoparticles. Instead, it indicates that the optical forces exerted on magnetic particles play an important role in determining the transmission of the magnetic fluid. This point is verified by comparing the Z-scan traces for magnetic fluids with different particle concentrations and carrier liquids. The effects of optical forces on the transmission of the magnetic fluids are also manifested in the morphology change of the magnetic fluids.