bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural fire design parameters and procedures – analysis of the potential of Eurocode 3
Authors: Boko I. , Torić N. , Peroš B.
Published: December 2012

This paper presents an experimental research carried out for testing the simple calculation models presented in EN 1993‐1‐2 for the determination of the fire resistance of steel structures, as well as the models for calculating the development of temperature in the structure. The analysis was carried out for the simple heat transfer models in protected and unprotected steel elements, for the basic parameters of reduction of mechanical properties of steel at high temperatures, and for simple calculation models for determining fire resistance of elements subjected to vertical force in combination with and without the action of the axial force.
Investigation of a deformation‐breakage‐parameter by the use of microscopic discharges of gas during the propagation of micro cracks and breakage of particles
Authors: Aman S. , Tomas J. , Molitor M. , Aman A.
Published: December 2012

Spektrale Untersuchungen von Lichtimpulsen, die während der Scherbeanspruchung von Zucker‐, Quarz‐ und KCl‐Partikeln entstehen, wurden mittels Multi‐Pixel‐Photon‐Counter Arrays in hoher Zeitauflösung durchgeführt. Diese intensiven Lichtimpulse mit einer Dauer von wenigen Nanosekunden erscheinen gleichzeitig in den UV‐ und NIR‐Wellenlängenbereichen. Die Ursache für dieses Phänomen sind Mikrogasentladungen. Im Verlauf des Bruchvorganges findet eine spektrale Verschiebung der Lichtemission vom UV‐ zum NIR‐Bereich statt. Bei der plastischen Deformation, welche von der Ausbreitung von Mikrorissen begleitet wird, dominiert die Lichtemission im ultravioletten Bereich. Unmittelbar vor dem Bruch nimmt dann die Breite des Risses zu und steigert die NIR‐Emission. Demzufolge besteht messtechnisch die Möglichkeit, mit Hilfe der UV‐ und NIR‐Anteilen der Lichtimpulse den Schädigungszustand von Partikeln zu charakterisieren und den Bruch anhand eines Parameters vorherzusagen.
Improvement of mechanical properties of AA1070 aluminium by the addition of borax under different holding conditions
Authors: Yilmaz N. F. , Öztürk M.
Published: December 2012

In this study, mechanical properties of Al‐B alloys, prepared by the addition of different amounts of borax to 99.70% pure commercial aluminum, were improved. The main objective is to study the influence of borax addition and holding conditions on the mechanical properties of cast Al‐B alloys. In this process, amount of borax, holding temperature and holding time were realized as affecting parameters. By considering these parameters three specimens were prepared for each condition and they were subjected to mechanical tests such as tensile, impact and hardness tests. As a result of tests, tensile strength of the alloy with the incorporation of borax was found 33% increase in comparison to pure aluminum while 21% increase in impact energy and 54% in hardness value. A substantial quantity of aluminum‐boride flakes were observed in the microstructural investigation of the samples. Microscopic observations of alloyed samples reveal homogeneous distribution of aluminum boride particles and fewer porosity levels.
Influence of near surface materials states and of hold‐times on thermal fatigue of magnesium base alloy AZ31
Authors: Anten K. , Lebsanft M. , Krauß M. , Noster U. , Scholtes B.
Published: December 2012

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit Untersuchungen zur thermischen Ermüdung der Magnesiumbasislegierung AZ31 im Temperaturbereich zwischen +50°C und +290°C. Die Experimente erfolgten unter konstanter Totaldeformation (out‐of‐phase‐Beanspruchung) und es wurde der Verlauf der Spannungsamplitude sowie der plastischen Dehnungsamplitude über die Zahl der Temperaturzyklen ermittelt. Insbesondere wurde der Einfluss einer mechanischen Oberflächenbehandlung (Festwalzen) sowie von Haltezeiten auf den Verlauf der Schädigung untersucht. In beiden Fällen konnte kein signifikanter Unterschied zu unbehandelten Proben bzw. Beanspruchungen ohne Haltezeit festgestellt werden, welches auf die Wechselwirkungen zwischen Verformungs‐ und Rekristallisationsprozessen bei der thermischen Ermüdung zurückzuführen ist.
Vitamin D concentration and lateral cerebral ventricle volume in older adults
Authors: Annweiler Cédric , Montero‐Odasso Manuel , Hachinski Vladimir , Seshadri Sudha , Bartha Robert , Beauchet Olivier
Published: December 2012

Scope

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an enlargement of the lateral cerebral ventricles in rodents. The effect of low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) on lateral cerebral ventricle volume has not been studied yet in humans. The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to determine whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with greater lateral cerebral ventricle volume in older adults.

Methods and results

Ninety‐two Caucasian community‐dwellers with no clinical hydrocephalus (mean, 72.2 ± 6.2 years; 46.7% female) were divided into two groups according to serum 25OHD concentration (deficiency ≤ 50 nmol/L; normal > 50 nmol/L). Cerebral ventricular volume was quantified using semi‐automated software from three‐dimensional T1‐weighted MRI. Age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, education level, Mini‐Mental State Examination, white matter lesions, and serum calcium concentrations were used as covariates. There was an inverse linear association between 25OHD concentration and ventricular volume (p = 0.049). Compared to individuals with normal 25OHD, those with 25OHD deficiency (n = 33) had 28% larger lateral ventricles (46.9 ± 26.8 mL versus 36.6 ± 16.4 mL, p = 0.026). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increase in ventricular volume (adjustedβ = 16.55, p = 0.023). The ventricular enlargement involved ventricle bodies (p = 0.025) but not temporal horns (p = 0.112).

Conclusion

Serum 25OHD deficiency was associated with larger lateral cerebral ventricles. These findings provide a scientific base for vitamin D replacement trials.
Politics Can Limit Policy Opportunism in Fiscal Institutions: Evidence from Official General Fund Revenue Forecasts in the American States
Authors: Krause George A. , Lewis David E. , Douglas James W.
Published: December 2012

Governments make policy decisions in the same areas in quite different institutions. Some assign policymaking responsibility to institutions designed to be insulated from myopic partisan and electoral pressures and others do not. In this study, we claim that differences in political context and institutional design constrain the policy choices governments make. Testable propositions based on an analysis of varying electoral incentives and time horizons created by these different contexts are empirically tested using panel data on official general fund revenue forecasts in the American states, 1987 to 2008. The empirical evidence reveals that executive branch agencies and independent commissions produce more conservative forecasts than legislatures with one important exception. Executive branch revenue forecasts in states with gubernatorial term limits are indistinguishable from legislative branch forecasts. Further, we find that legislative branch forecasts are more conservative in the presence of divided partisan legislatures than unified party government. In turn, this implies that entrusting policymaking authority to either the executive branch or an independent commission may only be consequential when the political system itself fails to check legislative excesses or executive myopia.
Characterizing phenotypes and outcomes of drug‐associated liver injury using electronic medical record data
Authors: Shin Janet , Hunt Christine M. , Suzuki Ayako , Papay Julie I. , Beach Kathleen J. , Cheetham T. Craig
Published: December 2012

Purpose

To evaluate the incidence, phenotypes, and outcomes of drug‐associated liver injury identified in electronic medical record (EMR) data using standardized criteria for drug‐induced liver injury (DILI).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used EMR data from a large integrated healthcare system. Study inclusion required 18 years of age or older, ≥1 prescription fill for any of 14 medications associated with hepatotoxicity between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2009, and ≥12 months of membership prior to the drug exposure. Patients with underlying non‐drug causes of liver injury were excluded to minimize capture of liver injury events unrelated to drugs. Drug‐associated liver injuries were identified by liver chemistry elevations temporally associated with drug use based on standardized criteria for DILI. Cases were classified by clinical pattern and severity. Outcomes of liver transplant and all‐cause and liver‐related death were examined.

Results

A total of 1 053 979 drug exposures were identified in 601 125 patients. We identified 265 drug‐associated liver injuries (32.8 per 100 000 persons) occurring in 250 patients. Isoniazid exhibited the highest incidence rate of 606 per 100 000 persons. Of the 265 cases, 41% were mild; 12% exhibited moderate drug‐associated liver injury (with concomitant ALT ≥ 5× ULN and bilirubin ≥2× ULN); and 17% exhibited coagulopathy, ascites, encephalopathy, or other organ failure. Last, seven cases (3%) were associated with death, and there were no liver transplants.

Conclusions

Study results align with earlier prospective studies, supporting the value of standardized methodology to identify drug‐associated liver injury in the EMR. These methods can potentially enhance safety and clinical outcomes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Neurocognitive Effects of Hypericum perforatum Special Extract (Ze 117) during Smoking Cessation
Authors: Camfield D. A. , Scholey A. B. , Pipingas A. , Silberstein R. B. , Kure C. , Zangara A. , Kras M. , Stough C.
Published: December 2012

The efficacy and tolerability of current treatments for smoking cessation are relatively poor. More research is required to address the biological mechanisms underpinning nicotine withdrawal and drug treatments for smoking cessation. We assessed the neurocognitive effects of Remotiv® (Hypericum perforatum Special Extract ‐ Ze 117), Nicabate CQ Nicotine Replacement therapy (NRT) and combined NRT/HP during conditions of smoking abstinence in 20 regular smokers aged between 18 and 60 years over a period of 10 weeks during smoking cessation. A Spatial Working Memory (SWM) task was completed at baseline, 4 weeks prior to quitting, as well as at the completion of the study, following the 10 weeks of treatment. Brain activity was recorded during the completion of the SWM task using Steady‐State Probe Topography. Reaction time and accuracy on the SWM task were not found to be significantly different between treatment groups at retest. Differences in SSVEP treatment profiles at retest are discussed, including stronger SSVEP Amplitude increase in posterior‐parietal regions for the HP and NRT groups and greater fronto‐central SSVEP Phase Advance in the HP group. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Comparative Study on the Inhibitory Effects of Different Parts and Chemical Constituents of Pomegranate on α‐Amylase and α‐Glucosidase
Authors: Kam Antony , Li Kong M. , Razmovski‐Naumovski Valentina , Nammi Srinivas , Shi Jeffrey , Chan Kelvin , Li George Q.
Published: December 2012

Pomegranate has been documented for the management of diabetes in Unani and Chinese medicine. This study compared the effects of the extracts of different pomegranate parts, including juice, peels, seeds and flowers, on carbohydrate digestive enzymes (α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase) in vitro. The methanolic flower extract inhibited α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, while the methanolic peel extract inhibited α‐glucosidase selectively. The most active flower extract was subjected to water‐ethyl acetate partition. The ethyl acetate fraction was more potent than the water fraction in inhibiting both enzymes. Gallic acid and ellagic acid also showed selective inhibition against α‐glucosidase, and their presence in the ethyl acetate fraction was confirmed by HPLC‐DAD and HPLC‐HESI‐MS. Our findings suggest that the inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes and their phenolic content may contribute to the anti‐hyperglycaemic effects of pomegranate flower and peel, and support their claims in diabetes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
USING OTOLITH CHEMISTRY TAGS AND GROWTH PATTERNS TO DISTINGUISH MOVEMENTS AND PROVENANCE OF NATIVE FISH IN THE GRAND CANYON
Authors: Hayden T. A. , Limburg K. E. , Pine W. E.
Published: December 2012

Fish otolith and water chemistry were assessed in the Grand Canyon reach of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Aqueous strontium and selenium (in ratio to calcium) and carbon stable isotopic ratios were identified as markers with excellent potential to track the provenance and movements of the endangered humpback chub Gila cypha. Although otolith δ13C and Sr/Ca varied proportionately to water chemistry and provided a framework for detailed study of humpback chub movements, otolith Se/Ca showed ambiguous tracking of known water chemistries. As an application, we document the natal source and movement dynamics of n = 10 humpback chub and compare these findings from otolith microchemistry with the current paradigm of humpback chub spawning ecology. We found that seven of ten fish follow the current early life history paradigm and were spawned in the Little Colorado River and subsequently emigrated to the main stem Colorado River as juveniles. However, the otolith markers of three fish suggest an alternative early life trajectory with unknown provenance. Age and growth analyses demonstrate seasonally higher growth rates in the warmer Little Colorado River compared with the Colorado River. Combining natural markers with age and growth reconstructions provides a powerful tool for assessing the habitat use and success of humpback chub in the Grand Canyon. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis: capturing intermittent and low‐frequency spatiotemporal patterns in high‐dimensional data
Authors: Giannakis Dimitrios , Majda Andrew J.
Published: December 2012

We present a technique for spatiotemporal data analysis called nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis (NLSA), which generalizes singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to take into account the nonlinear manifold structure of complex datasets. The key principle underlying NLSA is that the functions used to represent temporal patterns should exhibit a degree of smoothness on the nonlinear data manifold M; a constraint absent from classical SSA. NLSA enforces such a notion of smoothness by requiring that temporal patterns belong in low‐dimensional Hilbert spaces Vl spanned by the leading l Laplace‐‐Beltrami eigenfunctions on M. These eigenfunctions can be evaluated efficiently in high ambient‐space dimensions using sparse graph‐theoretic algorithms. Moreover, they provide orthonormal bases to expand a family of linear maps, whose singular value decomposition leads to sets of spatiotemporal patterns at progressively finer resolution on the data manifold. The Riemannian measure of M and an adaptive graph kernel width enhances the capability of NLSA to detect important nonlinear processes, including intermittency and rare events. The minimum dimension of Vl required to capture these features while avoiding overfitting is estimated here using spectral entropy criteria.

As an application, we study the upper‐ocean temperature in the North Pacific sector of a 700‐year control run of the CCSM3 climate model. Besides the familiar annual and decadal modes, NLSA recovers a family of intermittent processes associated with the Kuroshio current and the subtropical and subpolar gyres. These processes carry little variance (and are therefore not captured by SSA), yet their dynamical role is expected to be significant. The intermittent modes are eliminated from the spectrum if seasonal detrending is performed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 6: 180–194, 2013
Designing exploratory cancer trials using change in tumour size as primary endpoint
Authors: Jaki Thomas , André Valérie , Su Ting‐Li , Whitehead John
Published: December 2012

In phase III cancer clinical trials, overall survival is commonly used as the definitive endpoint. In phase II clinical trials, however, more immediate endpoints such as incidence of complete or partial response within 1 or 2 months or progression‐free survival (PFS) are generally used. Because of the limited ability to detect change in overall survival with response, the inherent variability of PFS and the long wait for progression to be observed, more informative and immediate alternatives to overall survival are desirable in exploratory phase II trials. In this paper, we show how comparative trials can be designed and analysed using change in tumour size as the primary endpoint. The test developed is based on the framework of score statistics and will formally incorporate the information of whether patients survive until the time at which change in tumour size is assessed. Using an example in non‐small cell lung cancer, we show that the sample size requirements for a trial based on change in tumour size are favourable compared with alternative randomized trials and demonstrate that these conclusions are robust to our assumptions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns of sedentary behaviours in Irish female adolescents
Authors: Regan Áine , Heary Caroline
Published: December 2012

Engagement in excessive sedentary behaviour represents a health risk for adolescents. The current study aimed to investigate patterns of sedentary behaviour amongst Irish female adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years old. 314 adolescents completed a questionnaire on their sedentary behaviour habits, health behaviours (physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use), enjoyment of sedentary behaviour, value on health, and sedentary facilitators in their home. Parents provided information on parental education, the child's weight and height, and parental sedentary behaviour habits. Cluster analysis found that five distinct sedentary clusters existed in this sample: Unproductive/Social Sedentary, Reading/Productive Behaviours, Mixed Sedentary Interests, Restricted Interests/High Television, and Academic Sedentary. The clusters differed on smoking and alcohol use, enjoyment of sedentary behaviour, and parental engagement in sedentary behaviour. The findings from this study support the use of a socio‐ecological framework for investigating the development of sedentary behaviour patterns.
N6-Methyl-Adenosine (m6A) in RNA: An Old Modification with A Novel Epigenetic Function
Authors: Niu Yamei , Zhao Xu , Wu Yong-Sheng , Li Ming-Ming , Wang Xiu-Jie , Yang Yun-Gui
Published: December 2012

N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) is one of the most common and abundant modifications on RNA molecules present in eukaryotes. However, the biological significance of m6A methylation remains largely unknown. Several independent lines of evidence suggest that the dynamic regulation of m6A may have a profound impact on gene expression regulation. The m6A modification is catalyzed by an unidentified methyltransferase complex containing at least one subunit methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3). m6A modification on messenger RNAs (mRNAs) mainly occurs in the exonic regions and 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) as revealed by high-throughput m6A-seq. One significant advance in m6A research is the recent discovery of the first two m6A RNA demethylases fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene and ALKBH5, which catalyze m6A demethylation in an α-ketoglutarate (α-KG)- and Fe2+-dependent manner. Recent studies in model organisms demonstrate that METTL3, FTO and ALKBH5 play important roles in many biological processes, ranging from development and metabolism to fertility. Moreover, perturbation of activities of these enzymes leads to the disturbed expression of thousands of genes at the cellular level, implicating a regulatory role of m6A in RNA metabolism. Given the vital roles of DNA and histone methylations in epigenetic regulation of basic life processes in mammals, the dynamic and reversible chemical m6A modification on RNA may also serve as a novel epigenetic marker of profound biological significances.
Use of quality seed as a means to sustainably intensify northern European barley production
Authors: PELTONEN-SAINIO P. , RAJALA A.
Published: December 2012

Rates of commercial certified seed (CCS) use are low, but comprehensive upgrading of farm-saved seed (FSS) is also often neglected in northern Europe, represented in the present paper by Finland. In general, available growth resources are particularly underutilized in the northern and eastern parts of Europe, in contrast with the prime agricultural areas of western Europe. The present paper demonstrates the potential of increasing CCS use, and/or upgrading FSS, to boost yields at regional and national level. The assessment indicated that a substantial increase in CCS use in Finland, to correspond with that of Sweden and Denmark, is a basic, readily available and easily applicable means of sustainably intensifying northern European barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production. Yield benefits averaged 440 kg/ha, corresponding to a 13% increase at national scale. Cultivar change contributed to about one-third of the benefit. At the national scale, an additional 20 000 tonnes of nitrogen (c. 8% increase) would be removed with the yields that would considerably exceed 2000 Gg annually compared with the present c. 1900 Gg total production of barley. Higher use of CCS represents a win–win situation for farmers, plant breeding companies and industry.
THE ROLE OF SEMANTIC TRANSFER IN CLITIC DROP AMONG SIMULTANEOUS AND SEQUENTIAL CHINESE-SPANISH BILINGUALS
Authors: Cuza Alejandro , Pérez-Leroux Ana Teresa , Sánchez Liliana
Published: December 2012

This study examines the acquisition of the featural constraints on clitic and null distribution in Spanish among simultaneous and sequential Chinese-Spanish bilinguals from Peru. A truth value judgment task targeted the referential meaning of null objects in a negation context. Objects were elicited via two clitic elicitation tasks that targeted anaphoric contexts and left-dislocated topics. An acceptability task tested sensitivity to left-dislocated object drop. Although simultaneous bilinguals were mostly undistinguishable from monolinguals, the late learners differed from both of these groups across tasks. Age of arrival led to different outcomes, with late learners showing more deficits than the child learners. Late learners avoided using clitics and relied on lexical and null objects. Residual transfer effects were observed among the child learners in the form of insensitivity to the features that serve as the basis for null argument identification and clitic deficits in production. It is also argued that transfer persists despite early and intense exposure to the second language in a natural environment because of the existence of an unmarked argument identification option in the first language.
Arctic Stewardship: Maintaining Regional Resilience in an Era of Global Change
Authors: Young Oran R.
Published: December 2012

That the Arctic is undergoing transformative changes driven in large part by external forces is no longer news. The high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, which are not themselves significant sources of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) or short-lived climate pollutants (such as black carbon soot), are experiencing effects attributable to climate change that are equal to or greater than those occurring in any of the planet's other large regions. Prominent among these effects are rising surface temperatures, a deepening of the active layer of the permafrost, the collapse of sea ice, increases in the intensity of coastal storm surges made possible by the retreat of sea ice, the accelerated melting of the Greenland ice sheet, and the acidification of marine systems. The deposition of black carbon in the high north alone—almost 60 percent of which is thought to originate in Europe—appears to account for half or more of the increase in temperature occurring in the Arctic. Positive feedback processes, such as lowered albedo (that is, the capacity of Earth's surface to reflect incoming solar radiation back into space) following the melting of ice at sea and snow on land, have the effect of magnifying the impact of these external forces. Nowhere is the challenge of adapting to the impacts of climate change more urgent than in Arctic coastal communities confronted with the need to relocate to avoid physical destruction. And nowhere are the threats to individual species (for example, the polar bear) and whole ecosystems more severe than they are in the Arctic, where biophysical changes are outstripping the capacity of plants and animals to adapt to altered conditions.
“If Equity's In, We're Out”: Scope for Fairness in the Next Global Climate Agreement
Authors: Pickering Jonathan , Vanderheiden Steve , Miller Seumas
Published: December 2012

At the United Nations climate change conference in 2011, parties decided to launch the “Durban Platform” to work towards a new long-term climate agreement. The decision was notable for the absence of any reference to “equity,” a prominent principle in all previous major climate agreements. Wealthy countries resisted the inclusion of equity on the grounds that the term had become too closely yoked to developing countries' favored conception of equity. This conception, according to wealthy countries, exempts developing countries from making commitments that are stringent enough for the collective effort needed to avoid dangerous climate change. In circumstances where even mentioning the term equity has become problematic, a critical question is whether the possibility for a fair agreement is being squeezed out of negotiations. To address this question we set out a conceptual framework for normative theorizing about fairness in international negotiations, accompanied by a set of minimal standards of fairness and plausible feasibility constraints for sharing the global climate change mitigation effort. We argue that a fair and feasible agreement may be reached by (1) reforming the current binary approach to differentiating developed and developing country groups, in tandem with (2) introducing a more principled approach to differentiating the mitigation commitments of individual countries. These two priorities may provide the basis for a principled bargain between developed and developing countries that safeguards the opportunity to avoid dangerous climate change without sacrificing widely acceptable conceptions of equity.
Asymptotic Normality Through Factorial Cumulants and Partition Identities
Authors: BOBECKA KONSTANCJA , HITCZENKO PAWEŁ , LÓPEZ-BLÁZQUEZ FERNANDO , REMPAŁA GRZEGORZ , WESOŁOWSKI JACEK
Published: December 2012

In the paper we develop an approach to asymptotic normality through factorial cumulants. Factorial cumulants arise in the same manner from factorial moments as do (ordinary) cumulants from (ordinary) moments. Another tool we exploit is a new identity for ‘moments’ of partitions of numbers. The general limiting result is then used to (re-)derive asymptotic normality for several models including classical discrete distributions, occupancy problems in some generalized allocation schemes and two models related to negative multinomial distribution.
Investigation of Organic Matter Entrapped in Synthetic Carbonates—A Multimethod Approach
Authors: Chalmin Emilie , Perrette Yves , Fanget Bernard , Susini Jean
Published: December 2012

Organic matter (OM) entrapped in calcite is regularly used for environmental studies; however, insertion mechanisms and types of interaction remain poorly understood. The present study used a new methodology to investigate interactions between OM and the calcite matrix during crystallization processes with humic acid (HA) entrapment. A multimethod approach confirmed that HA is both adsorbed onto the calcite surface and incorporated into the calcite lattice during crystallization. Our results also confirm the log-linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and calcite matrix HA concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that HA in colloidal conformation is adsorbed onto the calcite surface as a result of the structure of the OH stretching band. We also developed a new method based on synchrotron analysis that uses sulfur as a tracer element for entrapped HA and that localizes the OM electrostatically adsorbed onto the calcite surface. Changes in the sulfur environment, determined using X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, indicated more complex insertion mechanisms than simple adsorption of HA during calcite crystallization. Desorption experiments revealed the stability of the OM atomic structure and its layered nature. These results allowed us to draw up a general model of OM insertion in calcite.
Fast STEM Spectrum Imaging Using Simultaneous EELS and EDS
Authors: Longo Paolo , Twesten Ray D
Published: December 2012

Up to now, researchers performing analytical investigations in the transmission electron microscope typically had to choose between analytical spectroscopy techniques. They might choose energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis when working with thick samples containing high-Z elements or choose electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) when studying low-Z materials in thin samples. With the advent of STEM instruments possessing both high-mechanical stability and high-brightness probes, coupled with the latest generation of fast, efficient X-ray and EELS detectors, choosing between complementary techniques is a significant restriction. The acquisition systems available up to now have forced a choice because EELS, EDS, and fast scanning have not been designed to work together, resulting in inefficient data collection.
Upgrading Standard Bright-Field Microscopes for Dark-Field and Phase Contrast
Authors: Piper Jörg
Published: December 2012

Bright-field illumination is widely used as standard technique for examination of transparent specimens characterized by an appropriate optical density so that the transmitted light is partially absorbed when passing the specimens (for example, stained histological sections and blood smears). On the other hand, thin and colorless low-density specimens, such as unstained living cells that do not reduce the amplitude of the transmitted light, cannot be well perceived in bright field because of their ultra-low natural contrast. These so-called phase specimens can be examined when an apparatus for phase contrast is used. Phase contrast can be carried out with special objectives fitted with a phase ring situated within or near their back focal plane. Moreover, the condenser must be fitted with annular light masks (light annuli) that are projected onto the plane of the objective's phase ring so that both components, light annuli and phase rings, are optically congruent and conjugate.
Quantitative Cathodoluminescence Opens New Areas of Investigation in Semiconductor Research and Production
Authors: Corfdir P. , Gougeon O. , Sonderegger S. , Ganière J.-D.
Published: December 2012

The increasing demand for new opto-electronics devices such as solar cells, laser diodes (LD), and high-brightness light-emitting diodes (HBLED), combined with the economic necessity to achieve lower energy consumption levels and higher device yields, is motivating researchers to develop new materials. The semiconductor industry is actively looking for alternatives to silicon, for example, to address new niche market applications in power devices. Constant efforts employed to reduce production costs are leading manufacturers to grow GaN on silicon substrate, creating new technical challenges, especially regarding the control of defect density on wafer. For all these reasons many studies are being initiated to improve understanding of the fundamental physical properties and behavior of compound semiconductor materials used in quantum wells, quantum dots and nanowire-like structures. Cathodoluminescence (CL) is a spectroscopy method that can generate reliable, quantitative, and stable data for research as well as prepare a basis for quality control during production.
Pioneers in Optics: Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov and John Frederick William Herschel
Authors: Davidson Michael W.
Published: December 2012

The son of Russian peasants, Pavel Cherenkov faced a significant amount of adversity in his life, but he persevered admirably. He was born in the village of Novaya Chigla in the Vornezh province and grew up in a tumultuous time when Russia was engaged in war and revolution. At the age of two, Cherenkov lost his mother, and his father soon remarried, consigning much of his and his sister's upbringing to a stepmother. Later in his life, in 1938, he would also prematurely lose his father, who was killed under Stalin's regime for political reasons. As a child, Cherenkov reportedly exhibited a curious nature, was an avid reader, and performed well in school. In college, he studied mathematics and physics, graduating in 1928 from Vornezh University. Subsequently, in 1930, he married Marya Putintseva, with whom he would have two children. He relocated to Leningrad (now known as St. Petersburg) to embark on postgraduate research at the P.N. Lebedev Institute of Physics in the Academy of Sciences.
Spectroscopy with a Light Optical Microscope
Authors: Martin Paul
Published: December 2012

The microspectrophotometer can be described as a type of hyphenated instrument: it is a hybrid that combines the magnifying power of a light microscope with a UV-visible-NIR (ultraviolet–visible–near infrared) range spectrophotometer. These instruments are used to measure the molecular spectra from microscopic samples, from the deep ultraviolet to the near infrared region. Microspectrophotometers can be configured in many different ways and used to measure absorbance, reflectance, and even emission spectra, such as fluorescence, of sub-micron-sized sample areas. With the addition of specialized algorithms, the microspectrophotometer can also be used to measure the thickness of thin films or to act as a colorimeter for microscopic samples.
NetNotes
Authors: Phillips Thomas E.
Published: December 2012

Selected postings from the Microscopy Listserver from September 1, 2012 to October 31, 2012. Complete listings and subscription information can be obtained at http://www.microscopy.com. Postings may have been edited to conserve space or for clarity.
As You Read, So Shall You Write
Authors: Lyman Charles
Published: December 2012

In the last few years Microscopy Today has published dozens of articles about the capabilities of new instrumentation for microscopy and microanalysis. However, our readers tell me that they would like to see more applications articles and more how-to articles like those in Microscopy 101. While our editors search through conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals to find such articles, our readers are an important source of contributed applications articles.
Calendar
Authors: Webster Paul
Published: December 2012

Following is a list of microscopy related meetings and courses. The editors would greatly appreciate input to this list via the electronic submission form under “events/other microscopy events” at the MSA webpage: www.microscopy.org. We will gladly add hypertext links to the notice on the web and insert a listing of the meeting in the next issue.
From Galaxies to Nanocrystals: A Brief Trip Across 30 Orders of Magnitude
Authors: Thorel A. , Dahmen U.
Published: December 2012

As electron microscopists, many of us become engrossed in observing the shape, size, and atomic structure of nanoparticles every day. With our focus on the atoms in a single quantum dot, it is easy to lose sight of the broader physical perspective. This short essay highlights some wider connections as a way of linking electron microscopy to the quest for knowledge on other length scales. The scientific enterprise relies on images that expand the range of human vision, from the galactic to the atomic, from the origins of the universe to the discovery of new materials. From this viewpoint, it is interesting to look at some connections across nearly 30 orders of magnitude.
Wideband transformer-coupled E-band power amplifier in 90 nm CMOS
Authors: Gertman Igor , Socher Eran
Published: December 2012

In this work, the design of the wideband millimeter-wave power amplifier for multiband communication is presented. In order to achieve compact, simple and robust design, a differential cascade transformer-coupled topology is used. The amplifier is implemented in 90 nm low-leakage CMOS technology and achieves 3 dB bandwidth of 8 GHz (from 60 to 68 GHz) and a peak gain of 18 dB. The PO1dB is better than 5 dBm from 58 to 80 GHz, and peak output power is 11.9 dBm with 1 dB flatness from 62 to 77 GHz. The chip consumes an area of 0.25 mm2 including bond pads and DC current of 125 mA from a 2.2 V supply.
Out of the frying pan? Streamlining the ethics review process of multisite qualitative research projects
Authors: Iedema Rick A. M. , Allen Suellen , Britton Kate , Hor Suyin
Published: December 2012

This paper describes the ethics approval processes for two multicentre, nationwide, qualitative health service research projects. The paper explains that the advent of the National Ethics Application Form has brought many improvements, but that attendant processes put in place at local health network and Human Research Ethics Committee levels may have become significantly more complicated, particularly for innovative qualitative research projects. The paper raises several questions based on its analysis of ethics application processes currently in place.

What is known about the topic?
The complexity of multicentre research ethics applications for research in health services has been addressed by the introduction of the National Ethics Application Form. Uptake of the form across the country’s human research ethics committees has been uneven.

What does this paper add?
This paper adds detailed insight into the ethics application process as it is currently enacted across the country. The paper details this process with reference to difficulties faced by multisite and qualitative studies in negotiating access to research sites, ethics committees’ relative unfamiliarity with qualitative research, and apparent tensions between harmonisation and local sites’ autonomy in approving research.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Practitioners aiming to engage in research need to be aware that ethics approval takes place in an uneven procedural landscape, made up of variable levels of ethics approval harmonisation and intricate governance or site-specific assessment processes.
The development of a data-matching algorithm to define the ‘case patient’
Authors: Cox Shelley , Martin Rohan , Somaia Piyali , Smith Karen
Published: December 2012

Objectives. To describe a model that matches electronic patient care records within a given case to one or more patients within that case. Method. This retrospective study included data from all metropolitan Ambulance Victoria electronic patient care records (n = 445 576) for the time period 1 January 2009–31 May 2010. Data were captured via VACIS (Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Vic., Australia), an in-field electronic data capture system linked to an integrated data warehouse database. The case patient algorithm included ‘Jaro–Winkler’, ‘Soundex’ and ‘weight matching’ conditions. Results. The case patient matching algorithm has a sensitivity of 99.98%, a specificity of 99.91% and an overall accuracy of 99.98%. Conclusions. The case patient algorithm provides Ambulance Victoria with a sophisticated, efficient and highly accurate method of matching patient records within a given case. This method has applicability to other emergency services where unique identifiers are case based rather than patient based. What is known about the topic? Accurate pre-hospital data that can be linked to patient outcomes is widely accepted as critical to support pre-hospital patient care and system performance. What does this paper add? There is a paucity of literature describing electronic matching of patient care records at the patient level rather than the case level. Ambulance Victoria has developed a complex yet efficient and highly accurate method for electronically matching patient records, in the absence of a patient-specific unique identifier. Linkage of patient information from multiple patient care records to determine if the records are for the same individual defines the ‘case patient’. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper describes a model of record linkage where patients are matched within a given case at the patient level as opposed to the case level. This methodology is applicable to other emergency services where unique identifiers are case based.
One-step fitting of seed viability constants for two Australian plant species, Eucalyptus erythrocorys (Myrtaceae) and Xanthorrhoea preissii (Xanthorrhoeacea)
Authors: Crawford A. D. , Hay F. R. , Plummer J. A. , Probert R. J. , Steadman K. J.
Published: December 2012

Long-term ex-situ seed storage under controlled conditions in gene banks has become an important tool for conserving threatened Australian plants; however, there is scant information about the seed longevity of most species. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the seed longevity of two contrasting Australian species could be modelled using the seed viability equation, and whether the universal temperature constants are applicable to these species. Seeds of Eucalyptus erythrocorys F.Muell. (Myrtaceae) and Xanthorrhoea preissii Endl. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) were aged at moisture contents ranging from 3.9 to 15.7% and temperatures between –20 and 60°C. Survival data were fitted to the seed viability equation in one step and the species constants for each species determined. Both E. erythrocorys and X. preissii seeds exhibited orthodox seed storage behaviour whose longevity could be modelled using the seed viability equation. The viability constants were KE = 8.81, CW = 4.97, CH = 0.0412 and CQ = 0.000379 for E. erythrocorys and KE = 8.77, CW = 5.29, CH = 0.0382 and CQ = 0.000473 for X. preissii. The universal temperature constants could not be used without a significant increase in error. The storage behaviour of these two Australian species is in keeping with that of orthodox species from around the world. Predictions are that E. erythrocorys will be long-lived under gene bank conditions, whereas X. preissii would be moderately long-lived. Current long-term gene bank storage conditions appear suitable for storage of these species; however, recommendations for short-term storage need to be re-evaluated.
Chlamydia screening in community pharmacies: a systematic literature review of the characteristics of service users and a meta-analysis of chlamydia prevalence
Authors: Kapadia Mufiza Zia
Published: December 2012

A systematic review was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) infection among those screened in community pharmacies. The uptake of screening and clients’ sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics were also reviewed. Eleven papers contributed to the final review. The proportional meta-analysis showed a chlamydia positivity of 8.1% (95% confidence interval: 7.3%–8.9%). Chlamydia screening programs in community pharmacies tended to be targeted at certain client groups such as those seeking emergency contraception in pharmacies. The pharmacists were reluctant to offer chlamydia screening to potential clients. The uptake of the service was much lower, and tended not to include men and ethnic minorities.
Sexual behaviour and sexual health of Australian prisoners
Authors: Butler Tony , Malacova Eva , Richters Juliet , Yap Lorraine , Grant Luke , Richards Alun , Smith Anthony M. A. , Donovan Basil
Published: December 2012

Objective
To describe prisoners’ sexual experiences and sexual practices while in the community, sexual identities, and sexual health (e.g. self-reported exposure to sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and female reproductive outcomes) using data from the Sexual Health and Attitudes of Australian Prisoners (SHAAP) survey. Methods: This study used a computer-assisted telephone interview to screen randomly selected prisoners using a questionnaire based on the Australian Study of Health and Relationships survey. Results: 2351 men and women prisoners from New South Wales and Queensland took part in the survey. Most men identified as heterosexual (95.7%) and reported sexual attraction (91.0%) and sexual experiences (86.6%) only with the opposite sex, but 28.5% of women prisoners identified as bisexual. Sexual attraction correlated with sexual experience (men: r = 0.63; women: r = 0.84) more than with sexual identity (men: r = 0.53; women: r = 0.54). Male prisoners reported more lifetime opposite-sex partners than women prisoners (median 24 v. 10). Women prisoners were more likely than men to report a prior STI (35.1% v. 20.0%). Conclusions: Prisoners are a high-risk group with regard to sexual health. There is a need for a better understanding of the sexual health of this population group so that education campaigns and interventions specific to this population group can be developed.
Staufen2 functions in Staufen1-mediated mRNA decay by binding to itself and its paralog and promoting UPF1 helicase but not ATPase activity
Authors: Park Eonyoung , Gleghorn Michael L. , Maquat Lynne E.
Published: December 2012

Staufen (STAU)1-mediated mRNA decay (SMD) is a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism in mammals that degrades mRNAs harboring a STAU1-binding site (SBS) in their 3′-untranslated regions (3′ UTRs). We show that SMD involves not only STAU1 but also its paralog STAU2. STAU2, like STAU1, is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein that interacts directly with the ATP-dependent RNA helicase up-frameshift 1 (UPF1) to reduce the half-life of SMD targets that form an SBS by either intramolecular or intermolecular base-pairing. Compared with STAU1, STAU2 binds ∼10-fold more UPF1 and ∼two- to fivefold more of those SBS-containing mRNAs that were tested, and it comparably promotes UPF1 helicase activity, which is critical for SMD. STAU1- or STAU2-mediated augmentation of UPF1 helicase activity is not accompanied by enhanced ATP hydrolysis but does depend on ATP binding and a basal level of UPF1 ATPase activity. Studies of STAU2 demonstrate it changes the conformation of RNA-bound UPF1. These findings, and evidence for STAU1−STAU1, STAU2−STAU2, and STAU1−STAU2 formation in vitro and in cells, are consistent with results from tethering assays: the decrease in mRNA abundance brought about by tethering siRNA-resistant STAU2 or STAU1 to an mRNA 3′ UTR is inhibited by downregulating the abundance of cellular STAU2, STAU1, or UPF1. It follows that the efficiency of SMD in different cell types reflects the cumulative abundance of STAU1 and STAU2. We propose that STAU paralogs contribute to SMD by “greasing the wheels” of RNA-bound UPF1 so as to enhance its unwinding capacity per molecule of ATP hydrolyzed.