bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platinum Single Atoms Strongly Promote Superoxide Formation in Titania‐Based Photocatalysis – Platinum Nanoparticles Don't
Authors: Wang Yue , Wu Siming , Zoppellaro Giorgio , Baďura Zdeněk , Schmuki Patrik
Published: February 2025

The selective reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide is one of the key reactions in electrochemistry and photocatalysis. Here the effect of Pt co‐catalysts, dispersed on titania, either as single atoms or as nanoparticles, on the photocatalytic superoxide (•O2−) formation in O2 containing solutions is investigated. The •O2− formation is traced by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assays and in detail by EPR measurements using TEMPO as •O2− radical scavenger. The results show that the photocatalytic formation rate of •O2− on titania can strongly be enhanced by using Pt single atoms as a co‐catalyst, whereas Pt nanoparticles hardly exhibit any accelerating effect. This finding is of considerable significance regarding photocatalytic degradation and photocatalytic oxidative synthesis processes.
Controllable Transition Metal Cations Doping Enable Efficient and Spectral Stable Pure‐Red Perovskite QLED
Authors: Su Yuqin , Lin Qunqing , Lv Xinyi , Li Yan , Zhang Kun , Wu Xiuting , Zhou Ying , Guo Yashuang , Sandzhieva Maria A. , Makarov Sergey V. , Xiang Hengyang , Zeng Haibo
Published: February 2025

Mixed‐halide perovskite plays important role in wide‐color gamut displays as a vital material for three primary colors. However, halide segregation and caused unstable spectra are the intrinsic problem in mixed‐halide perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) originating from the lattice strain and the resulting defects in perovskite quantum dots (PQDs). Here, smaller transition metal cations are applied to replace Pb2+ and release lattice strain, which avoids halogen escaping/halide vacancies forming to ensure high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and stable spectra. However, the actual doping amount is limited by ionic size and chemical environment, which will affect the improvement of optoelectronic performance. Thus, this study proposes a strategy by introducing tri‐n‐octylphosphine to coordinate strongly with metal cations and catch them to participate the nucleation‐growth process. Through doping transition metal cations effectively, the CsPb(BrI)3 PQDs show high PLQY (92%) and long lifetime (107.83 ns). Further, highly efficient pure‐red PeLEDs with highest external quantum efficiency of 16.86% is fabricated and the spectrum can be stabilized at 630 nm with only 1 nm red‐shift under bias, showing the promising potential of PQDs for next‐generation display.
Exploring the Sr2Ga2GeO7:Tb3+ Long Persistent Luminescence Phosphor for Cutting‐Edge Forensic Solutions in Latent Fingerprint Detection and Anticounterfeiting Applications
Authors: Ayoub Irfan , Mushtaq Umer , Nair Govind B. , Sundaram Gaurav , Swart Hendrik C , Kumar Vijay
Published: February 2025

A series of Sr2‐xGa2GeO7: x Tb3+ (0 mol%  ≤ x ≤ 10 mol%) phosphors exhibiting persistent luminescence is synthesized via a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. Structural analysis and phase identification are conducted using X‐ray powder diffraction and Rietveld refinement. The reflectance spectra revealed that the synthesized phosphor exhibited a direct bandgap with a value of 4.99 eV.  The photoluminescence excitation spectra displayed broad absorption bands corresponding to the 4f8 → 4f75d1 transition of the Tb3+ ion, along with narrow‐band absorption peaks attributed to the 4f‐4f transitions. The emission spectra featured peaks resulting from transitions from the excited energy‐state (5D3/5D4) to the ground‐state levels (7FJ). Among these transitions, the 5D4 → 7F5 transition is dominant, producing the green emission of the synthesized phosphor. Concentration quenching is observed, attributed to the radiative reabsorption process. Additionally, the synthesized phosphor demonstrated thermal stability up to 675 K. The kinetic scan and afterglow measurements showed that the persistent luminescence lifetime is ≈7000 s, and the afterglow persistence is up to 100 s. Thermoluminescence measurements revealed that besides the intrinsic defect, doping introduced the interstitial and vacancy defects that contributed to improving the persistent luminescence of the synthesized phosphor. The synthesized phosphor demonstrated a practical application for latent fingerprint detection and anticounterfeiting applications.
Cobalt‐Silicon Coordination‐Induced Nonradical Activation of Peroxymonosulfate for Enhancing the Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Real Wastewater
Authors: Wang Shizong , Wang Jianlong
Published: February 2025

Nonradical‐driven degradation pathways have emerged as a promising solution for the removal of emerging organic pollutants in complex water matrices. How to construct nonradical systems remains a challenge. In this study, a novel silicon carbide (SiC)‐supported cobalt single‐atom catalyst (Co/SiC) is developed to induce nonradicals activation of peroxymonosulfate toward the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The normalized degradation rate of SMX reaches 16.425 L·min−1·g−1·mm−1, significantly outperforming most reported single‐atom catalysts. Surface‐bound reactive species dominate the SMX degradation process, followed by high‐valent cobalt oxo. Experimental and characterization results demonstrate that the unique Co‐Si coordination structure facilitated electron transfer, and lowered the energy barrier for the formation of surface‐bound reactive species, thereby exhibiting superior resistance to inorganic ions. In a seven‐day continuous column experiment, SMX, atrazine, and bisphenol A are completely removed from actual secondary effluent, confirming the stability and effectiveness of the catalyst in real wastewater systems. Moreover, the acute toxicity of treated secondary effluent almost disappears. These results highlight the potential of Co‐Si coordination in driving electron transfer for the generation of nonradicals, offering a promising approach to addressing the challenges of the removal of emerging organic pollutants from the complex wastewater.
Engineering Nitrogen‐Coordinated Single‐Atom Catalysts for Efficient CO2 Cycloaddition
Authors: Li Jiayi , Mao Keke , Gong Wanbing , Li Zheyue , Sang Shuaikang , Li Jiawei , Chen Guangyu , Hu Chuansheng , Long Ran , Xiong Yujie
Published: February 2025

Developing highly efficient nonprecious heterogeneous catalysts for the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide (CO2) to cyclic carbonates is crucial but challenging in the modern chemical industry. Here, a facile and scalable molecules‐confined pyrolysis approach is demonstrated for the synthesis of nitrogen‐coordinated transition‐metal (TM) single‐atom catalysts (SACs). Moreover, the various coordination structures of metal centers and the forms of nitrogen species are successfully revealed. The designed TM SACs show excellent catalytic performance for the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides to cyclic carbonates under solvent‐free mild conditions. Among them, the optimum Zn SAC with 13.2 wt.% Zn content achieves a >99% yield at 80 °C within 2 h for the cycloaddition of propylene oxide to propylene carbonate. The crucial comprehension of the relationship between performance and reaction mechanism over TM SACs with various metal centers and adjacent N species is further enhanced through experimental investigations and theoretical simulations. Significantly, the high density of Lewis acid–base sites (Zn and N species) can appropriately regulate the activation of epoxide and CO2 and the reaction energy of cycloaddition, respectively, thus improving the CO2 cycloaddition performance. This work provides a new insight into the design of highly active and stable SACs for efficient cycloaddition reactions.
In Situ Generation of Porous Ag‐Hollandite/Polypyrrole 2D Mats at the Water/Chloroform Interface for Dual Applications in Energy Storage and Electrochemical Sensing
Authors: Kaladi Chondath Subin , Bansal Love , Rethnakumaran Anusree Veluthath , Davison Deepa , Puthiyaparambath Muhammed Fasil , Chatanathodi Raghu , Kumar Rajesh , Menamparambath Mini Mol
Published: February 2025

A facile in situ method of the liquid/liquid (L/L) polymerization strategy for synthesizing silver‐doped hollandite manganese oxide (Ag‐HMO) on polypyrrole (PPy) support is reported for the first time. The highly innovative synthetic method involves producing α‐MnO2 attached to PPy oligomers under low‐temperature conditions. Subsequently, Ag+ ions are in situ intercalated into the 2 × 2 tunnels in α‐MnO2 to generate Ag‐HMO‐incorporated PPy. Calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) yield negative formation energies, suggesting that Ag‐HMO can be formed through the tunnel doping of Ag+ in α‐MnO2. Highly crystalline 2D composite mats of Ag‐HMO/PPy (PAgMn) with interconnected Ag‐HMO nanorod networks with a thickness of ≈1 nm are demonstrated by electron and atomic force microscopy images. Electrochemical detection of formaldehyde on PAgMn‐modified screen‐printed electrodes opens new prospects for real‐time food adulterant sensors. PAgMn is also utilized as electrodes for supercapacitors with a high specific capacitance of 601 mF cm−2. An all‐solid‐state asymmetric supercapacitor device assembled with PAgMn and activated carbon as negative and positive electrodes demonstrates outstanding energy storage capability with a remarkable energy density of 6.16 mWh cm−2 at a power density of 6300 mW cm−2.
Time‐resolved Solvothermal Synthesis for Controlling Lateral Size of 2D Metal–Organic Layers
Authors: Chen Jiawei , Song Yuhang , Gan Yumeng , Cai Wanzhen , Wang Haoshang , Liu Huichong , Dai Bingling , Peng Yuanzhao , Wang Cheng
Published: February 2025

Metal–Organic Layers (MOLs), 2D analogs of Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs), feature monolayer structures with the potential for various applications. Controlling the lateral size of MOLs is essential for enhancing their dispersibility in solvents and optimizing performance. However, reducing lateral dimensions while preserving monolayer thickness presents a challenge due to the precise conditions required for monolayer formation. This study utilizes a time‐resolved solvothermal synthesis method, employing flow chemistry to adjust reaction conditions dynamically during different stages of MOL growth. Fast nucleation is triggered initially to generate numerous nuclei, followed by a shift to slower growth rates, limiting further expansion and preventing the formation of amorphous structures. This approach effectively refines the lateral dimensions of nano‐MOLs while maintaining monolayer integrity. The reduction in lateral dimensions has a direct effect on improving catalytic performance, demonstrating the potential for fine‐tuned nanosized MOLs in advanced applications.
Enhancing Water Electrolysis Performance by Bubble Behavior Management
Authors: Qiu Jiaxuan , Yao Jiayi , Feng Zhe , Huang Baoyu , Luo Zhongzhong , Wang Longlu
Published: February 2025

Electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation plays a crucial role in promoting the energy transition and achieving the goals of carbon neutrality. Nevertheless, in the context of water electrolysis, the generated bubbles have an adverse impact on energy consumption and mass transfer efficiency. To address this challenge, a variety of strategies are investigated to accelerate bubble detachment and transport. It is of utmost significance to summarize those strategies for facilitating the advancement of water electrolysis performance. In this review, a comprehensive account of strategies are presented for enhancing water electrolysis performance through bubble behavior management. First, the impact of the electrolyte on bubbles is discussed. Then, optimized interactions between bubbles and the electrode surface are introduced, which focus on reducing adhesion forces and implementing other forces. Next, dynamic bubbling of deformable catalysts is discussed, such as fern‐ and caterpillar‐like catalysts. Following that, bubble‐bubble interactions are investigated as bubble coalescence is proved to be beneficial for earlier bubble departure compared to buoyancy effect alone. Finally, outlooks are presented for future development of efficient bubble removal strategies for enhanced water electrolysis performance. The review aims to deepen the comprehension of bubbles interactions and stimulate the development of management strategies, thereby further enhancing the performance of water electrolysis.
Imaging of Recombination Rates and Lifetime in Perovskite Thin Film Processing
Authors: Hacene Benjamin , Rosemann Nils W. , Roger Julie , Liu Xuzheng , Baumann Daniel O. , Pappenberger Ronja , Gholipoor Mohammad , Racky Hannah , Fassl Paul , Howard Ian A. , Paetzold Ulrich W.
Published: February 2025

Large‐scale fabrication and optimization of high‐quality polycrystalline perovskite thin films present significant challenges in scientific research and industry. Shifting from single‐spot measurements to imaging techniques facilitates the transition from laboratory‐scale to large‐scale processing. While single‐spot photoluminescence (PL) methods provide high‐depth insights into local optoelectronic characteristics, they are insufficient for assessing reliable information on homogeneity and spatial characteristics. Currently, no PL‐based imaging method delivers a comparable level of information depth on charge carrier dynamics to single‐spot PL methods. In response, this work introduces a non‐invasive imaging technique based on double‐pulse excitation. Varying the time delay between the pulses gives rise to spatial information on relative photoluminescence quantum yield (rPLQY) in thin films, yielding fundamental optoelectronic characteristics such as external radiative and effective non‐radiative recombination rates and charge‐carrier lifetime. Compared to traditional PL‐imaging and k‐imaging demonstrates the superiority of rPLQY‐imaging in revealing charge carrier dynamics. This technique proves applicable across various sample configurations, irrespective of the presence of electrodes and charge transport layers. In addition, the method can estimate surface recombination velocity and variations in escape and parasitic absorption probabilities. Overall, the rPLQY‐imaging method emerges as a valuable tool for scientific research aimed at characterizing and optimizing large‐area perovskite thin films.
Inhibition of Sn (II) Oxidation Via Triacetoxyboro‐Hydride for Stable Tin‐Lead Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ren Yinkang , Li Yue , Du Kaihuai , Xu Yibo , Zhou Chenguang , Cao Xiaoting , Wang Aili , Li Lvzhou , Yuan Ningyi , Ding Jianning
Published: February 2025

Tin‐lead (Sn‐Pb) perovskites with narrow bandgaps can be used as bottom cells for tandem cells to boost the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the uncontrollable crystallization of Sn–Pb perovskites and the straightforward oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ are two key factors that restrict their efficiency and stability. Compared to the anti‐solvent method, vacuum flash assisted solution processing (VASP) offers the advantages of environmental protection and excellent controllability. In this study, we combined VASP with the post‐processing of sodium triacetoxyboro‐hydride (STAB) as a reducing agent and passivator. The experimental and theoretical results demonstrat that interactions occurred between specific functional groups (−CH3, B–H, and CO) and the perovskite. Therefore, the Sn2+ oxidation was successfully inhibited and the film quality was improved. The efficiency of the optimized PSCs with the STAB increased from 18.2% to 21.64%, which is the highest power conversion efficiency among the Sn–Pb PSCs fabricated using the VASP method. In addition, the device retained 81% of its initial efficiency after being stored in N2 under −0.1 MPa for 1400 h.
Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Fusion‐Welded Component Geometric Dimension on Electroslag Fusion Welding Based on Multiphysics‐Field‐Coupled Modeling
Authors: Xu Haoran , Wang Yu , Li Baokuan , Huang Xuechi , Lou Yanchun , Liu Zhongqiu
Published: February 2025

In this study, a coupled multiphysics field model combining finite‐element and finite‐volume modeling is developed to investigate the effect of fusion‐welded component geometric dimension on electroslag fusion welding (ESFW) process, and the reliability of the model is verified experimentally. In the results, it is shown that for fusion‐welded parts with definite geometrical dimensions, the vertical fusion welding scheme reduces the amount of slag and welding current, but the total welding time is long and the heat‐affected zone is large; the horizontal scheme is the opposite. The preset rated welding current increases nonlinearly with increasing workpiece length. Increasing workpiece length decreases the average slag pool temperature uniformity and affects the slag pool flow, Lorentz force distribution, and increases the horizontal depth of fusion and depth of slag pool; increasing thickness increases the heat capacity and also affects the changes in the aforementioned physical quantities. The height during slag replenishment is related to the part length and thickness, while the recommended thickness is related to the part length, ESFW height, and slag replenishment mechanism. To avoid thermal distortion, the maximum cross‐section horizontal depth of fusion should be less than 1/3 of the thickness of fusion‐welded component.
A numerical simulation of electrically conducting Sisko fluid flow with melting heat transfer, nonlinear convection and variable thermal conductivity constraints over an inclined electromagnetic sheet
Authors: Bhuiyan Shakil , Shamshuddin MD. , Usman  , Islam Torikul , Ferdows M.
Published: February 2025

The effects of suction, melting heat transfer, variable thermal conductivity, and viscous dissipation upon the convective flow of Sisko fluid over an electromagnetic inclined sheet are reported in the present study. The mechanisms of thermophoresis and Brownian motion are also taken into consideration. The 4th‐order R‐K method has been used to tackle reduced leading equations dedicated to the problem's relevant geometry. The key finding of the current investigation is that increased electromagnetic field strength, thermal and solutal mixed convection parameters, and Sisko fluid parameters are credited for enhanced fluid motion, whereas the increased melting parameter results in increased heat transmission rate from the electromagnetic sheet. The fluid suction, on the other hand, decreases the flow velocity and associated thickness of the momentum boundary layer.
Thermal dynamics in electrically conducting tangent hyperbolic nanofluid flow: Hybrid‐empirical modelling approach using RSM
Authors: Mingliang Zheng , Asghar Zaheer , Hussain Dilawar , Ismail Emad A. A. , Awwad Fuad A. , Zeeshan Ahmed , Ijaz Nouman
Published: February 2025

The dynamics of nanofluids with electrical conductivity are the focus of the advanced field of electrically conducting nanofluid flow, which lies at the intersection of fluid mechanics and heat transfer. When exposed to electric fields, these nanofluids, which are composed of nanoparticles suspended in base fluids, display distinctive behaviors. Their flow is influenced by variables such as the applied electric field, size, shape, concentration of nanoparticles, and properties of the base fluid. Joule heating, electrokinetic effects, and electrophoresis are important processes in these flows. There is great promise for improved heat transfer systems, microfluidics, energy conversion devices, and biomedical technologies in the field of electrically conducting nanofluid flow research. Nonetheless, there are still issues to be resolved, like preserving the stability of nanoparticle suspension and comprehending the intricate relationships between fluid, particles, and fields. Sensitivity analysis of different input parameters plays a very important role in fluid mechanics problems. In this work, the authors aim to do a sensitivity analysis of different input parameters for magnetohydrodynamics Tangent hyperbolic nano fluid. To complete this task, we have adopted the non‐linear partial differential equations, and then numerical values of transformed ordinary differential equations are calculated by using MATALB built‐in software bvp4c. Performance evaluation is conducted by employing sensitivity analysis. Firstly, an empirical relation for output responses, that is, skin friction, Nusselt number , and Sherwood number ) using response surface methodology. The best fitted model is determined with the help of Analysis of Variance table. The results show that coefficient of determination for skinfriction coefficient , , and are 100%, 99.99%, and 97.73% respectively. This means that we have obtained best fitted empirical relations. The results of sensitivity analysis disclosed that is most sensitive to Weissenberg number (We). Both the and are most sensitive to thermophoresis parameter (Nt).
Skeletal health status among patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism: results from the Canadian National Hypoparathyroidism Registry (CNHR)
Authors: Khan Aliya A. , AbuAlrob Hajar , Ali Dalal S. , Al Kassem Zayd , Almoulia Abdulrahman , Afifi Habiba , Braga Manoela , Cheng Alice , Malhem Jouma , Millar Adam , Morgante Emmett , Muhammad Parwana , Paul Terri L. , Prebtani Ally , Punthakee Zubin , Khan Tayyab , Khan Sarah , Shrayyef Muhammad , Van Uum Stan , Young James Edward Massey , Brandi Maria Luisa , Ovize Michel , Weiss Blandine
Published: February 2025

In the CNHR study, 35% of postmenopausal women had osteoporosis by BMD or fragility fracture, and 4% had both. Three men ≥ 50 had osteoporosis by BMD or fragility fracture (33.3%; n = 3/9). This suggests that close follow-up of skeletal health is necessary in postmenopausal women, and men ≥ 50 with chronic HypoPT.

Purpose

Chronic hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) has been associated with decreased bone turnover and abnormalities in bone mineral density (BMD), microarchitecture, and strength. Current guidelines do not recommend systematic evaluation of skeletal health in patients with chronic HypoPT. Our study assessed skeletal health in pre- and postmenopausal women with chronic HypoPT and adult men.

Methods

This prospective study enrolled adults with chronic HypoPT from the Canadian National Hypoparathyroidism Registry. Clinical characteristics, bone fractures, biochemistry, and serum bone biomarkers were assessed at baseline. Skeletal health evaluation included assessments of fragility fractures, BMD at lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH), 1/3 radial sites, trabecular bone score (TBS), and bone biomarkers.

Results

We present the baseline data of the patients enrolled in the registry. We analyzed a total of 101 patients: 18 men, 35 premenopausal, and 48 postmenopausal women. The mean (SD) age at the onset of HypoPT was 40.7 (16.8) years, and the average disease duration was 11.2 (8.6) years. The most common etiology was postsurgical (74.3% vs. 25.7% non-surgical). Most patients received calcium supplements (89%) and active vitamin D (80%) at baseline. No fragility fractures or low BMD were reported in premenopausal women. However, BMD at LS, FN, TH, and TBS were significantly lower in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women.

Conclusions

Overall, 35% of postmenopausal women had osteoporosis by BMD or prior fragility fracture, and 4% had both. Three men ≥ 50 years had osteoporosis by BMD or fragility fracture (33.3%; n = 3/9). This study suggests that close follow-up of skeletal health is necessary in postmenopausal women with chronic HypoPT and men ≥ 50 years.
School Suspension as a Predictor of Young Adult Homelessness: The International Youth Development Study
Authors: Heerde Jessica A. , Bailey Jennifer A. , Merrin Gabriel J. , Raniti Monika , Patton George C. , Toumbourou John W. , Sawyer Susan M.
Published: February 2025

School suspension in adolescence has been shown to predict homelessness in young adulthood, suggesting that it may be a point of intervention to reduce young adult homelessness. Under zero tolerance policies, school suspension is more common in the United States relative to Australia. Multilevel modeling of cross-national longitudinal data from the International Youth Development Study tested prospective associations between adolescent problem behaviors, student-perceived likelihood of suspension/expulsion, school-level behavior management policy, and young adult homelessness. Population-based samples of participants from Washington State (United States) and Victoria (Australia) were surveyed at ages 13, 14, 15 (2002–2004), and 25 years (2014–15; n = 1945; 51% female). Over half of the young adults who reported homelessness within the previous year at age 25 had experienced school suspension. Individual-level school suspension in middle school predicted young adult homelessness. Higher levels of adolescent rebelliousness, non-violent and violent antisocial behavior, and substance use predicted a higher likelihood of school suspension at the person-level and were indirectly related to increased risk for homelessness at age 25. School behavior management policy was not related to a history of school suspension at either the person- or school-level once individual factors were controlled. Findings demonstrate the importance of school suspension as a risk factor for future homelessness and suggest that prevention programming that aims to mitigate substance use, antisocial behaviors, and school suspension may help to reduce young adult homelessness.
Enhanced Carbon Monoxide Bioconversion Through Adaptation of Mixed Microbial Consortia in Trickle Bed Reactors
Authors: Tunca Berivan , Rovithi Anastasia , Dutta Sambit , Quintela Cesar , Pinelo Manuel , Skiadas Ioannis V. , Gavala Hariklia N.
Published: February 2025

Syngas, mainly including CO, H2 and CO2, generated from biomass gasification can be used to produce a wide range of commodity chemicals and fuels. However, its biological conversion is still challenging since most microorganisms are sensitive to high CO gas content, resulting in low growth and production rates. In this study, adaptation of mixed microbial consortia to high CO gas content was investigated in trickle bed reactors, TBR, operated in continuous mode under mesophilic (37 ºC) conditions and ambient pressure. Initially, artificial syngas mixture including 20% CO was supplied followed by an incremental increase in CO gas content as 40%, 60% and 90%. The results revealed that the gradual increase of CO concentration led to the successful adaptation of CO-consuming microbial consortia. Enriched consortia exhibited efficient CO conversion primarily to acetic acid, with high consumption rates and product selectivity. The highest CO consumption rates achieved were 21.7 mmol·lbed
−1·h−1 for TBR1 and 22.3 mmol·lbed
−1·h−1 for TBR2 supplied by 90% CO at a gas inflow rate of 28.84 mmol·lbed
−1·h−1. Up to 40% CO in the inflow gas, the dominant product was acetic acid (89 mol %); further increase in CO gas content resulted in increased butyric acid production up to 19 mol %. 16S rRNA analysis revealed an important change in the microbial community during the adaptation process, pointing at Acetobacterium and Sporomusa as key genera for an efficient process at high CO gas content.

Graphical Abstract
Evidence for a major gene for bone mineral density/content in human pedigrees identified via probands with extreme bone mineral density
Authors: DENG H. W. , LIVSHITS G. , YAKOVENKO K. , XU F. H. , CONWAY T. , DAVIES K. M. , DENG H. , RECKER R. R.
Published: July 2002

Bone mineral content (BMC) and/or bone mineral density (BMD, i.e. BMC scaled by bone size) are major determinants for osteoporosis, which is a serious health problem. The major determinant of variation in BMD/BMC is genetic. The few studies now available are inconsistent in the identification and/or even in the existence of major gene(s) for BMD/BMC. In 51 human pedigrees with 941 individuals (526 measured for phenotypes) identified via probands with extreme BMD values, we performed complex segregation analyses to test the existence of a genetic locus with a major effect on BMD/BMC variation. We analyzed BMD and BMC at the spine, hip and wrist jointly by employing, as the study phenotype, factor scores (FS) of the principle component that explains ∼75% of the total BMD/BMC variation at the three sites. The results indicate that a major gene exists with a codominant effect that is responsible for ∼16% of the FS variation when adjusted for significant effects of sex, body weight and age. A significant genotype‐×‐sex‐×‐age interaction was found, which may explain ∼14% of the FS variation after adjusting for body weight. Testing of various models did not provide support for shared familial environmental effects but suggested the existence of residual polygenic effects, which may explain ∼50% of the FS variation when adjusting for sex, body weight and age. This study indicates a promising aspect of studies to identify a major gene for BMD/BMC variation in our pedigrees identified via extreme probands.
Party Attachment in Europe: Methodological Critique and Substantive Implications
Authors: SINNOTT RICHARD
Published: July 2002

This article identifies the different ways in which the Eurobarometer surveys measure party

attachment in different sets of member states of the European Community or Union. The main

variants are an absolute question, an ordinal question and a relative question. Using

Eurobarometer data covering the period 1978–94, it is shown that these different questions

produce predictably different estimates of the distribution of party attachment. The methodological interpretation is confirmed and a new equivalent measure of party attachment is constructed

using the results of a specific test inserted for this purpose in Eurobarometer 41.1. The new

measure is constructed in such a way as to preserve the comparability of Eurobarometer data on

this topic over time. The new operationalization significantly improves the predictive power of

the construct and it is recommended that it be adopted in future.
Images of Europe: Orientations to European Integration among Senior Officials of the Commission
Authors: HOOGHE LIESBET
Published: July 2002

The European Union is a polity in the making, where political actors contend about basic questions of governance. While students have begun to map contention between public parties and private interests, little attention has been paid to how office-holders in the Commission conceive of European integration. Using interview data collected from 140 senior officials of the

Commission, I identify contention along four dimensions: whether the EU should have supranational or intergovernmental institutions; whether it should use democratic or technocratic decision making; whether it should promote regulated capitalism or market liberalism; and whether the elite should defend the European public good or be responsive to various interests. My findings challenge EU theories that conceive of the Commission as a unitary actor with a pro-integration agenda.
Bankers' references and the bank's duty of confidentiality: when practice does not make perfect
Authors: Hooley Richard
Published: July 2002

IT is a well-established principle that banking practice will be taken into account by the courts. The principle makes good sense when examining the rights and duties which arise between the banks themselves, for they are the very architects of such practice. It is open to closer scrutiny when banking practice is relied on to mould the relationship between a bank and its customer who has no control over, and may be totally unaware of, the relevant practice. To say, as Willes J. did in Hare v. Henty (1861) 10 C.B.N.S. 65, 77, that “[a] man who employs a banker is bound by the usage of bankers” is potentially misleading. This half-truth was recently exposed by the Court of Appeal in Turner v. Royal Bank of Scotland plc [1999] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 664, where it was held that a bank could not rely on banking practice to imply its customer's consent to the use by the bank of confidential information in order to give other banks references about his creditworthiness.
AN APPROXIMATION PROPERTY OF IMPORTANCE IN INVERSE SCATTERING THEORY
Authors: Colton David , Sleeman Brian D.
Published: July 2002

A key step in establishing the validity of the linear sampling method of determining an unknown scattering obstacle $D$ from a knowledge of its far-field pattern is to prove that solutions of the Helmholtz equation in $D$ can be approximated in $H^1(D)$ by Herglotz wave functions.

To this end we establish the important property that the set of Herglotz wave functions is dense in the space of solutions of the Helmholtz equation with respect to the Sobolev space $H^1(D)$ norm.

AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 35R30. Secondary 35P25
DRIP-FERTIGATION – A MEANS FOR REDUCING FERTILIZER NITROGEN TO SUGARCANE
Authors: Ng Kee Kwong K.F. , Paul J.P. , Deville J.
Published: July 2002

The extent by which fertilizer nitrogen (N) may be reduced by the use of drip-fertigation in sugarcane was determined using 15N-labelled fertilizer in a field experiment in Mauritius. The data showed that, under the soil and climatic conditions that prevailed at the study site, fertilizer N could be reduced by 30%. Indeed, with 80 kg N ha−1 a−1 by drip-fertigation, total or fertilizer N recovered, growth pattern (as reflected by tiller density and leaf area development) and sugarcane yields were not inferior to those obtained with the standard practice of burying 120 kg N ha−1 a−1 along the cane rows. Applying more N than needed by the sugarcane in anticipation of a higher yield with drip irrigation would be wasteful of fertilizer N resources.
Genetic hitch-hiking in a subdivided population
Authors: SLATKIN MONTGOMERY , WIEHE THOMAS
Published: July 2002

The problem of genetic hitch-hiking in a geographically subdivided

population is analysed under
the assumption that migration rates among populations are relatively small
compared with the
selection coefficient for a newly arising advantageous allele. The
approximate method used in the
paper is valid when the number of emigrants per generation (Nm)
is less than one. The
approximate analysis shows that hitch-hiking can result in substantial
differences among
populations in the frequencies of neutral alleles closely linked to
the advantageous allele. Thus, in
cases for which genetic hitch-hiking is thought to be responsible
for low levels of genetic variability
in regions of the genome with restricted crossing over, it might be
possible to find confirmatory
evidence for that hypothesis by finding unusual patterns of geographic

differentiation in the same regions of the genome.
LITIGIOUS MARINERS: WAGE CASES
IN THE SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY
ADMIRALTY COURT
Authors: STECKLEY GEORGE F.
Published: July 2002

The merchant mariner could appeal to the law in the seventeenth century for remedies
against arbitrary treatment. But historians have argued that even when the sailor was able to afford
legal process he faced judges who served the interests of master and shipowner. This essay estimates
the fees of a suit for wages in the seventeenth century, the mariner's propensity to initiate action, and
his chances of winning. Evidence for such an appraisal, and for describing the attitudes of judges
toward mariner complaints, comes from all wage cases decided by the High Court of Admiralty in
sixteen years chosen from across the century. The results add to recent discoveries about the nature of
justice in a litigious age and test claims that the sailor was commonly a victim both at sea and at law.
WIVES, WIDOWS, AND BRIDES OF CHRIST: MARRIAGE AND THE CONVENT IN THE
HISTORIOGRAPHY OF EARLY MODERN ITALY
Authors: EVANGELISTI SILVIA
Published: July 2002

Two main alternative paths structured the lives of women in early modern Italy:
marriage and the convent. Historians have analysed the disciplinary and economic functions, and the
legal, religious and symbolic meaning of these paths, from a variety of perspectives. However, studies
of marriage and the convent have mainly developed as two separate fields of historical research. My
article reviews these two series of studies in the context of the historiography of early modern Italy, and
suggests some of the possible connections between them.
Artisans and Work in a Barcelona Cotton Factory (1770–1816)
Authors: Vicente Marta
Published: July 2002

The present article analyzes the crucial impact that artisan forms of organizing work had in the production of early cotton factories. By examining the case of the Sirés factory in Barcelona, this article argues that dividing work by gender and age and working with relatives, all traditional practices in an artisan shop, allowed eighteenth-century factory owners to face the challenges that production posed. The example of the Sirés factory also offers a picture of early industrialization that challenges the long-standing argument that artisan and factory forms of production were antagonistic. Factory owners organized their production and work in ways that replicated the way artisans had long produced and worked in their shops. Moreover, in shops and factories alike, production depended not just on the work of individuals, but also on that of their relatives. Parents and children, husbands and wives – all brought the flexibility of traditional artisan forms of organizing work to the new factories.
CASTE AND CLASS IN HISTORICAL NORTH-WEST
ETHIOPIA: THE BETA ISRAEL (FALASHA) AND KEMANT, 1300–1900
Authors: QUIRIN JAMES
Published: July 2002

Peoples create their own histories by making choices within a framework

of opportunities and constraints. In the historical interaction of small
groups
within a larger state and social formation, the context of constraints
and
opportunities changes over time, as do the choices and actions of the smaller

groups. Such socio-ethnic historical processes must thus be analyzed both

diachronically and dialectically.

This comparative study examines the actions of two small groups, the
Beta
Israel and Kemant, during three phases of Ethiopian history: the centralizing

state to 1632; the urban-centered state, 1632–1755; and the regionalized
but
re-centralizing state, 1755–1900. In contrast to the assumptions
of traditional
Ethiopian historiography in which small groups were only objects of
conquest and inevitable assimilation, this paper demonstrates the construction

and reconstruction of group identities during several hundred years
extending into the twentieth century.
Estimation of intake and digestibility of forage-based
diets in group-fed dairy cows using alkanes as markers
Authors: UNAL Y. , GARNSWORTHY P. C.
Published: July 2002

Dry matter intake is one of the major factors limiting milk production in dairy cows, although the
quantity of food consumed by an individual cow when housed and fed as part of a group is rarely
known. Such information would permit more precise ration formulation, concentrate allocation and
selection of cows according to efficiency of milk production. Alkanes have been used with sheep and
cattle to estimate feed intake under grazing conditions and could provide a technique for measuring
intake in housed dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to examine alkanes C32 and C36, in
combination with alkane C33, as indigestible markers for estimating intake of housed dairy cows fed
on different diets under experimental and commercial conditions. Three experiments were conducted
with hay-based diets (Expt 1), silage only diets (Expt 2) and a diet consisting of a silage-based basal
ration plus concentrates (Expt 3). Animals were dosed once daily with C32 and C36, either on filter
papers (Expts 1 and 2) or as part of a specially prepared concentrate (Expt 3). Faecal recoveries of
alkanes ranged from 0·88 to 0·99. Over the range of intakes found in the three experiments (6–24 kg
DM/d), the r2 values for estimated versus actual dry matter intakes ranged from 0·81 to 0·99. It is
concluded that alkanes could provide a useful technique for estimating intake in dairy cows housed
and fed in groups.
COVARIATES OF CHILD MORTALITY IN MALI: DOES THE HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF THE MOTHER MATTER?
Authors: UCHUDI JOSEPH MASUDI
Published: July 2002

This paper uses data from the 1995/96 Mali DHS survey to examine the importance of a wide range of socioeconomic, behavioural and biodemographic factors in the determination of child mortality in Mali, with a special focus on maternal education and behaviour. The central hypothesis of the study is that advances in maternal education would contribute little to child survival in settings such as Mali’s urban and rural communities where progress in educational attainment is not matched with improvements in other aspects of socioeconomic development such as economic growth, job creation, financial security and public health and medical resources. Units of analysis are children born in the past 5 years to DHS respondents (women aged 15–45) who were married at the time of the survey. The Cox proportional hazards regression technique has been used to estimate the net effects of variables included as covariates. The findings indicate that the health-seeking behaviour of the mother matters more than maternal education in explaining the observed differences in infant and child mortality in Mali’s urban and rural areas.
Effect of pasteurization at 76 and 63 °C on the absorption of colostral IgG in calves
Authors: TYLER JEFF W. , LAKRITZ JEFF , HOSTETLER DOUGLAS E. , DOUGLAS VICTORIA , WEAVER DUSTY M. , STEEVENS BARRY J. , HOLLE JULIE , DENBIGH JOHN
Published: July 2002

The timely ingestion and absorption of colostral immunoglobulin is a critical
determinant of neonatal calf health. Calves are born without appreciable concentrations
of the serum immunoglobulins needed to protect against pathogenic
bacteria, viruses and protozoa (Tyler & Parish, 1995). The beneficial effect of passive
transfer of colostral immunoglobulin also extends beyond the neonatal period and
persists into juvenile and adult life (Robison et al. 1988; Tyler et al. 1998; DeNise et al.
1989). Calves with failure of passive transfer, defined as serum protein < 50 g/l
or serum IgG < 10 g/l, have increased mortality risks that persist until 10 weeks
of age (Tyler et al. 1998).

Several diseases are potentially spread by the ingestion of colostrum, including
bovine leukosis and Johne's disease (Perrin & Polack, 1988; Streeter et al. 1995). In
one study 22% of latently infected cows were demonstrated to shed Mycobacterium
paratuberculosis in their colostrum (Streeter et al. 1995). Optimal programmes to
prevent and eradicate these diseases generally include the provision that calves are
given colostrum derived from cows of known negative disease status. Pasteurization
or heat treatment of colostrum may provide a mechanism whereby calves are
provided with protection against neonatal disease without creating undue potential
for infection by chronic, economically relevant diseases.

Attempts to heat disinfect colostrum are common in goat herds (MacKenzie et al.
1987). Pasteurization has been demonstrated to be effective against the caprine
arthritis–encephalomyelitis virus (Adams et al. 1983; MacKenzie et al. 1987).
Although Myco. paratuberculosis appears to resist pasteurization, this form of
processing has been demonstrated to decrease the likelihood of positive colostral
cultures for Myco. paratuberculosis under experimental conditions (Meylan et al.
1996). Sterilizing the milk and colostrum given to calves is a logical and reasonable
strategy to prevent transmission of infectious microorganisms. The potential
disadvantage of heat treating colostrum is that the immunoglobulins in colostrum
may become denatured (Smith & Sherman, 1994). Pasteurization causes only a slight
decrease in the colostral concentration of IgG in cattle (Meylan et al. 1996); however,
the biological behaviour of these pasteurized immunoglobulins has not been critically
examined. Therefore, we cannot be completely confident that immunoglobulin
absorption, persistence in serum and biological activity are unchanged by this
processing.

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of pasteurization at 76 and
63 °C on the absorption of IgG from colostrum. Should these procedures decrease
immunoglobulin absorption, the use of pasteurization in disease eradication
programmes would require increased efforts to optimize the passive transfer of
immunoglobulin.
Effect of rennet concentration and method of coagulation on the
texture of Feta cheeses made from ultrafiltered bovine milk
Authors: WIUM HELLE , QVIST KARSTEN B.
Published: July 2002

The effects of varying the rennet concentration (by a factor of
216) and
the coagulation method on the texture of 32 Feta cheeses produced from
ultrafiltered
milk were examined by rheological, sensory and chemical methods. Cheeses
were
obtained that varied greatly in texture but had the same gross chemical
composition.
All rheological measurements (uniaxial compression, strain sweep and relaxation
measurement), sensory firmness and chemical measures of proteolysis depended
significantly on the rennet concentration used. With increasing rennet
addition, the
cheeses became firmer and grittier, and less adhesive and sticky. With
two of the
three coagulation methods, the physicochemical state of the casein micelles
at the
point of coagulation varied with the rennet level: when less rennet was
used,
coagulation occurred at a lower pH and after longer contact between milk
and NaCl.
However, the effects of increased rennet concentration were also significant
with the
third method, where there was no effect on the pH or the period with NaCl
at
coagulation. Probably the primary effect observed was that an increased
aggregation
rate, with increased rennet level, affected the initial mode of aggregation
of casein
particles, leading to a denser network structure and a firmer and grittier
texture.
The level of micellar disintegration at coagulation (controlled by the
coagulation
method used) had a supplementary effect.