bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is vitamin C supplementation beneficial? Lessons learned from randomised controlled trials
Authors: Lykkesfeldt Jens , Poulsen Henrik E.
Published: December 2009

In contrast to the promised ‘antioxidant miracle’ of the 1980s, several randomised controlled trials have shown no effect of antioxidant supplements on hard endpoints such as morbidity and mortality. The former over-optimistic attitude has clearly called for a more realistic assessment of the benefit:harm ratio of antioxidant supplements. We have examined the literature on vitamin C intervention with the intention of drawing a conclusion on its possible beneficial or deleterious effect on health and the result is discouraging. One of several important issues is that vitamin C uptake is tightly controlled, resulting in a wide-ranging bioavailability depending on the current vitamin C status. Lack of proper selection criteria dominates the currently available literature. Thus, while supplementation with vitamin C is likely to be without effect for the majority of the Western population due to saturation through their normal diet, there could be a large subpopulation with a potential health problem that remains uninvestigated. The present review discusses the relevance of the available literature on vitamin C supplementation and proposes guidelines for future randomised intervention trials.
Petrology and geochemistry of the orbicular granitoid of Sierra de Velasco (NW Argentina) and implications for the origin of orbicular rocks
Authors: GROSSE PABLO , TOSELLI ALEJANDRO J. , ROSSI JUANA N.
Published: December 2009

The Velasco orbicular granitoid is a small (65 × 15 m), irregularly-shaped body that crops out within the Huaco granite, central Sierra de Velasco, NW Argentina. It consists of ellipsoid-shaped orbicules of 3 to 15 cm length immersed in an aplitic to pegmatitic matrix. The orbicules are formed by a core made up of a K-feldspar megacryst, partially to totally replaced by plagioclase, an inner shell of radial and equant plagioclase crystals, a layer of tangentially oriented biotite laths, and an outer shell of plumose plagioclase crystals, containing diffuse rings of tangentially oriented biotite. The orbicular granitoid formedin situin a pocket of evolved and volatile-rich melt segregated from the surrounding partially crystallized Huaco granite, possibly via a filter pressing mechanism. The segregated melt entrained relatively few K-feldspar megacrysts into the pocket, leaving behind a concentration of megacrysts around the pocket. High water concentration caused effective superheating of the melt and destruction of nuclei, with only the large megacrysts surviving as solids. Sudden water-pressure loss and exsolution of the volatile phase, perhaps related to a volcanic eruption or fracturing of the surrounding granite, caused rapid undercooling of the melt. The orbicules grew in the undercooled melt by heterogeneous nucleation on the megacrysts, which acted as nucleation seeds, and crystallization of reversely zoned radial plagioclase and sporadic crystallization of tangential biotite rings according to fluctuations in its saturation. Orbicular growth gave way to crystallization of the equiaxial inter-orbicular matrix in two stages, when sufficient polymerization of the melt was attained. The time scale of formation of the orbicular granitoid was fast, possibly a matter of a few weeks or months.
Super free fall
Authors: VILLERMAUX E. , POMEAU Y.
Published: December 2009

The free fall of a liquid mass through vertical tubes with a weakly increasing cross-section induces an acceleration of the upper liquid interface larger than gravity. The phenomenon is well described by a one-dimensional inviscid model. The super acceleration of the upper interface comes from the additional positive pressure gradient caused by the expanding geometry, which adds to the gravity body force. A perturbative expansion of this base solution further accounts for the interface shape and stability. In particular, the positive pressure gradient at the interface makes it unstable, forming a concentrated ‘nipple’ on top of the essentially flat base solution. We discuss the possible connexion of these findings with the problem of wave breaking in free surface flows.
Heat transport analysis of the improved confinement discharge with LHW in the HT-7 tokamak
Authors: ZHANG X. M. , SHEN X. , WAN B. N. , WU Z. W. , FU J. ,   THE HT-7 TEAM
Published: December 2009

In the HT-7 tokamak, heat transport analysis is carried out for the lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) experiments. Electrons and ions are coupled and good confinement can be obtained by properly optimizating LHCD and plasma parameters. Under the conditions that the plasma current is about 220 kA, the lower hybrid wave (LHW) power is about 300 kW and the central line-averaged density is about 1.5×1013 cm−3, lower hybrid wave power deposition is off-axis. Local transport analysis illustrated that both electron and ion thermal diffusivities are decreased during the LHW phase, and the electron internal transport barriers (eITBs) are formed while been accompanied by the ion internal transport barriers (iITBs) during LHW phase. Ions are heated by electron-ion collision in the region of the barriers although the ohmic power and the LHW power were absorbed by the electrons. Both electron temperature and ion temperature are increased during the LHW phase, and in the confinement region, the electron-to-ion temperature ratio, Te/Ti varies from 2.0 ~ 2.5 during OH phase to 1.3 ~ 1.6 during LHW injected into the plasma, which shows that electron confinement is not degraded by the electron–ion collisions meanwhile ions are also confined. The energy confinement is increased from 13 ms to 25 ms due to the formation of electron and ion internal transport barries after the LHW is injected into the plasma. LHW driven current and bootstrap current contribute to 60% of the total current.
Further research of the collisional instability. An extensive study of growth and a notable influence of the boundaries
Authors: XAPLANTERIS C. L.
Published: December 2009

In a cylindrical geometry, a low-pressure magnetized argon plasma is lit, using the rf upper hybrid resonance. As a radial dc electric field is formed, a perpendicular drift velocity is obtained on the charged particles and a collisional instability is raised. The description, study and identification of that wave were given in the last published work from NCSR ‘Demokritos’, both experimentally and theoretically. Since then, the research has been continued and significant results have been obtained concerning the fields of plasma parameters, wave further understanding, growth research and boundaries' strong influence. The aim of the present paper is to inform that the rising instability has many of the characteristics of drift instabilities that are caused by the density gradient, as well as the ability of it's frequency to overcome the ion gyro-frequency. In addition, it gives an answer to the well-known problem of the need to consider a small component of the wave vector in the parallel direction, in order the wave to rise through the electron-neutral collisions' proceedings; a strong influence of cavity length on wave amplitude has been observed and measured.
Commercial recruiting and Informal Intermediation: debate over the sardari system in Assam tea plantations, 1860–1900
Authors: SEN SAMITA
Published: December 2009

This paper engages with Rajnarayan Chandavarkar's argument that the importance accorded to the intermediation of sardars/jobbers in colonial labour arrangements followed from the perception of the Indian peasant as static and immobile, requiring especial effort at recruitment, but that, over time, employers grew resentful of the power and control acquired by these intermediaries. Drawing on this insight, the paper examines the role ofsardarsin the recruitment system of the Assam tea plantations and the ways in which they were promoted by the planters and the state in an attempt to loosen the stranglehold of professional contractors. Thesardarswere presented as the solution to abuses of Assam recruitment and portrayed as non-market agents recruiting within the closed world of kin, caste and village relationships. Towards the late-nineteenth century, however, a nexus developed between the contractors andsardars, which successive legislative interventions failed to break. Moreover, the notion that thesardarwould be a more benign agent of recruitment was repeatedly proved false.
Disciplining Sholapur: the industrial city and its workers in the period of the Congress ministry, 1937–1939
Authors: KAMAT MANJIRI
Published: December 2009

The Congress, which had launched a satyagraha in 1930 to defy the Martial Law at Sholapur, had swept to power in the Bombay Presidency after the 1937 elections. However, once in power it started using a vocabulary of discipline in the industrial city. Its acceptance of power was greeted with a surge in labour activism led by the communists. The Congress initially relaxed many of the restrictions imposed by the earlier British administration and followed a strategy of accommodation. In a city like Sholapur, where government surveillance had increased following the violent popular unrest of 1930 in response to Mahatma Gandhi's call for Civil Disobedience, such temperate policies encouraged the articulation of submerged tensions, especially as the formation of a Congress government had raised expectations. Yet a combination of factors forced the ministry to adopt an uncompromising stance towards the labour activism of this period. Sholapur's turbulent record of unrest, the constraints imposed by class alliances, the trappings of labour recruitment from the criminal tribes settlement, the increasing influence of the communists, coupled with the bureaucracy and millowners' shared aversion to unbridled trade union activity, forced the ministry to adopt tougher disciplinary measures in the city. Therefore, when the labour agitation in Sholapur threatened to disrupt law and order, it brought about a shift in the government's response and the bureaucracy reasserted its power by reverting to repressive measures in the new Congress Raj.
Plenary Lecture 3 Food and the planet: nutritional dilemmas of greenhouse gas emission reductions through reduced intakes of meat and dairy foods
Authors: Joe Millward D. , Garnett Tara
Published: December 2009

Legally-binding legislation is now in place to ensure major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Reductions in intakes of meat and dairy products, which account for approximately 40% of food-related emissions, are an inevitable policy option. The present paper assesses, as far as is possible, the risk to nutritional status of such a policy in the context of the part played by these foods in overall health and well-being and their contribution to nutritional status for the major nutrients that they supply. Although meat may contribute to saturated fat intakes and a higher BMI, moderate meat consumption within generally-healthy population groups has no measurable influence on morbidity or mortality. However, high consumption of red and processed meat has been associated with increased risk of colo-rectal cancer and recent advice is to reduce intakes to a maximum of 70 g/d. Such reductions in meat and haem-Fe intake are unlikely to influence Fe status in functional terms. However, overall protein intakes would probably fall, with the potential for intakes to be less than current requirements for the elderly. Whether it is detrimental to health is uncertain and controversial. Zn intakes are also likely to fall, raising questions about child growth that are currently unanswerable. Milk and dairy products, currently specifically recommended for young children and pregnant women, provide 30–40% of dietary Ca, iodine, vitamin B12and riboflavin. Population groups with low milk intakes generally show low intakes and poor status for each of these nutrients. Taken together it would appear that the reductions in meat and dairy foods, which are necessary to limit environmental damage, do pose serious nutritional challenges for some key nutrients. These challenges can be met, however, by improved public health advice on alternative dietary sources and by increasing food fortification.
MAXIMAL OPERATORS AND HILBERT TRANSFORMS ALONG FLAT CURVES NEAR L1
Authors: BEZ NEAL
Published: December 2009

For a class of convex curves in ℝd we prove that the corresponding maximal operator and Hilbert transform are of weak type Llog L. The point of interest here is that this class admits curves which are infinitely flat at the origin. We also prove an analogous weak type result for a class of nonconvex hypersurfaces.
ON THE NUMBER OF PRIME ORDER SUBGROUPS OF FINITE GROUPS
Authors: BURNESS TIMOTHY C. , SCOTT STUART D.
Published: December 2009

LetGbe a finite group and letδ(G) be the number of prime order subgroups ofG. We determine the groupsGwith the propertyδ(G)≥∣G∣/2−1, extending earlier work of C. T. C. Wall, and we use our classification to obtain new results on the generation of near-rings by units of prime order.
A dairy producer's view of respiratory disease
Authors: Patrick Robert L.
Published: December 2009

Respiratory disease is a significant economic burden for United States dairies. Although there has been quality research, there is a need to translate the academic findings to the dairy barn. In particular, there is a need to implement solutions in the context of the economic ramifications of disease management. Plans to combat respiratory disease need to be simple, implemented incrementally and require low ‘management energy’. If respiratory disease is prevented at an early age, this will ensure the greatest chance that the animals will reach their full genetic potential to produce.
Genetics, environment and bovine respiratory disease
Authors: Snowder Gary
Published: December 2009

The heritability estimates for resistance and/or susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) are small, suggesting response to direct selection will be slow. The number of mammalian genetic markers associated with resistance to specific pathogens or improved immunity is increasing and will provide additional information for developing selection criteria for producing animals with an innate resistance to BRD. Environmental and management factors play significant roles in the prevalence of BRD and must be considered in a holistic approach to reducing BRD. Although no single solution for preventing BRD is likely to be discovered in the immediate future, the long-term outlook appears very promising.
Disease control on organic and natural cattle operations
Authors: Karreman Hubert J.
Published: December 2009

The number of cattle operations which manage their livestock as certified organic or as natural is constantly increasing. Common conditions that practitioners often see have bacterial, viral or parasite etiologies. With restrictions on treatments allowed, either by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Organic program or by other niche programs, it would help practitioners to know what is allowable to use and how to approach cases in these settings. This presentation aims to provide veterinarians with an awareness of animal health care when working with organic/natural producers and alternative therapies that are understandable to medically trained professionals.
Update on bacterial pathogenesis in BRD
Authors: Confer Anthony W.
Published: December 2009

Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, Mycoplasma bovis and Arcanobacterium pyogenes are all frequently implicated in bovine respiratory disease (BRD). M. haemolytica is considered the most important of the group. These bacteria are commensals in the nasopharynx and establish infection in the lungs of cattle that are subjected to a variety of stresses. Factors that permit adherence to and proliferation in the lungs and factors that cause tissue destruction and inflammation have been identified as having major roles in pathogenesis. These virulence factors include protein adhesins, capsular polysaccharide, outer membrane proteins, iron-binding proteins, lipopolysacharide or lipooligosaccharide, enzymes and toxins. These bacterial products function to evade the immune system, damage the immune system and induce a severe inflammatory response.
Evidence for large Holocene earthquakes on the Compton thrust fault, Los Angeles, California
Authors: Leon Lorraine A. , Dolan James F. , Shaw John H. , Pratt Thomas L.
Published: December 2009

We demonstrate that the Compton blind thrust fault is active and has generated at least six large‐magnitude earthquakes (Mw7.0–7.4) during the past 14,000 years. This large, concealed fault underlies the Los Angeles metropolitan area and thus poses one of the largest deterministic seismic risk in the United States. We employ a methodology that uses a combination of high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles and borehole excavations to link blind faulting at seismogenic depths directly to near‐surface fault‐related folding. Deformed Holocene strata record recent activity on the Compton thrust and are marked by discrete sequences that thicken repeatedly across a series of buried fold scarps. We interpret the intervals of growth as occurring after the formation of now‐buried paleofold scarps that formed during uplift events on the underlying Compton thrust ramp. Minimum uplift in each of the scarp‐forming events, which occurred at 0.7–1.75 ka (event 1), 0.7–3.4 ka or 1.9–3.4 (event 2), 5.6–7.2 ka (event 3), 5.4–8.4 ka (event 4), 10.3–12.5 ka (event 5), and 10.3–13.7 ka (event 6), ranged from ∼0.6 to ∼1.9 m, indicating minimum thrust displacements of ≥1.3 to 4.2 m. Such large displacements are consistent with the occurrence of large‐magnitude earthquakes (Mw≥ 7). This multidisciplinary methodology provides a means of defining the recent seismic behavior, and therefore the hazard, for blind thrust faults that underlie other major metropolitan regions around the world.
Features of earthquake occurrence in a complex normal fault network: Results from a synthetic seismicity model of the Taupo Rift, New Zealand
Authors: Robinson R. , Nicol A. , Walsh J. J. , Villamor P.
Published: December 2009

The Taupo Rift in the central North Island of New Zealand is a region of active extension of up to 15 mm/yr in the back‐arc of the Hikurangi subduction system. Mapping and trenching has defined a network of active normal faults. Because the paleoseismic and historical earthquake catalogs are short and inhomogeneous, a deterministic computer model of seismicity has been constructed to better understand the earthquake history. The model consists of 26 primary normal fault segments (corresponding to mapped faults with vertical displacement rates of ∼0.1–1.6 mm/yr) and 4700 randomly distributed small normal faults in a ∼40 × 25 km area. All of the model faults interact elastically. Parameters of the model are adjusted to reproduce the geologically observed displacement rates, a regionalbvalue of ∼1.0, and average slip/event of ∼1 m. The result is a long catalog of 500,000 events, magnitude 3.82 to 6.62, which simulates a time period of ∼2 Myr. Characteristic slip events on each segment are mostly well defined and their recurrence times can usually be described by a three parameter Weibull distribution. The coefficient of variation (CV) for recurrence intervals ranges from 0.12 to 1.22 with an average of 0.66; these reduce by about half if fault interactions are turned off. The time series of characteristic earthquakes shows clear evidence of triggered slip up to about 3 years after large magnitude events, followed by relative seismic quiescence. On all segments the moment release rate is relatively stable over time periods of more than about five recurrence intervals (∼2–20 kyr) but can vary on time scales less than that.
Modeling of daily precipitation at multiple locations using a mixture of distributions to characterize the extremes
Authors: Hundecha Yeshewatesfa , Pahlow Markus , Schumann Andreas
Published: December 2009

A stochastic model for the generation of daily time series of rainfall at multiple locations in which the amount of daily rainfall is modeled by a mixture of two different probability distribution functions is presented. A mixture model is implemented with the specific objective of characterizing extremes of daily precipitation. The approach is based on the assumption that the extremes within a time series have a different stochastic behavior compared to the normal regime of precipitation. A multivariate autoregressive model is used to model the local probability of occurrence of rainfall and the amount while keeping the intersite covariance structure using a truncated normal distribution. The amount simulated using the truncated normal distribution is further transformed so that it can be regarded as coming from the actual distribution fitted to the daily precipitation at each station using the probability integral transformation. The seasonal cycles of the amount as well as the temporal and spatial correlations of the daily precipitation are incorporated by fitting the model on the monthly basis. Application was made on 122 stations within the Unstrut catchment with an area of 6343 km2in central eastern Germany. Results show that the model can fairly well reproduce a number of statistical features of daily precipitation including the extreme value distribution of the annual maximum daily and 3 day total precipitation, both at individual stations and at the catchment scale.
Component analysis of errors in satellite‐based precipitation estimates
Authors: Tian Yudong , Peters‐Lidard Christa D. , Eylander John B. , Joyce Robert J. , Huffman George J. , Adler Robert F. , Hsu Kuo‐lin , Turk F. Joseph , Garcia Matthew , Zeng Jing
Published: December 2009

Satellite‐based precipitation estimates have great potential for a wide range of critical applications, but their error characteristics need to be examined and understood. In this study, six (6) high‐resolution, satellite‐based precipitation data sets are evaluated over the contiguous United States against a gauge‐based product. An error decomposition scheme is devised to separate the errors into three independent components, hit bias, missed precipitation, and false precipitation, to better track the error sources associated with the satellite retrieval processes. Our analysis reveals the following. (1) The three components for each product are all substantial, with large spatial and temporal variations. (2) The amplitude of individual components sometimes is larger than that of the total errors. In such cases, the smaller total errors are resulting from the three components canceling one another. (3) All the products detected strong precipitation (>40 mm/d) well, but with various biases. They tend to overestimate in summer and underestimate in winter, by as much as 50% in either season, and they all miss a significant amount of light precipitation (<10 mm/d), up to 40%. (4) Hit bias and missed precipitation are the two leading error sources. In summer, positive hit bias, up to 50%, dominates the total errors for most products. (5) In winter, missed precipitation over mountainous regions and the northeast, presumably snowfall, poses a common challenge to all the data sets. On the basis of the findings, we recommend that future efforts focus on reducing hit bias, adding snowfall retrievals, and improving methods for combining gauge and satellite data. Strategies for future studies to establish better links between the errors in the end products and the upstream data sources are also proposed.
Record low surface air temperature at Vostok station, Antarctica
Authors: Turner John , Anderson Phil , Lachlan‐Cope Tom , Colwell Steve , Phillips Tony , Kirchgaessner Amélie , Marshall Gareth J. , King John C. , Bracegirdle Tom , Vaughan David G. , Lagun Victor , Orr Andrew
Published: December 2009

The lowest recorded air temperature at the surface of the Earth was a measurement of −89.2°C made at Vostok station, Antarctica, at 0245 UT on 21 July 1983. Here we present the first detailed analysis of this event using meteorological reanalysis fields, in situ observations and satellite imagery. Surface temperatures at Vostok station in winter are highly variable on daily to interannual timescales as a result of the great sensitivity to intrusions of maritime air masses as Rossby wave activity changes around the continent. The record low temperature was measured following a near‐linear cooling of over 30 K over a 10 day period from close to mean July temperatures. The event occurred because of five specific conditions that arose: (1) the temperature at the core of the midtropospheric vortex was at a near‐record low value; (2) the center of the vortex moved close to the station; (3) an almost circular flow regime persisted around the station for a week resulting in very little warm air advection from lower latitudes; (4) surface wind speeds were low for the location; and (5) no cloud or diamond dust was reported above the station for a week, promoting the loss of heat to space via the emission of longwave radiation. We estimate that should a longer period of isolation occur the surface temperature at Vostok could drop to around −96°C. The higher site of Dome Argus is typically 5–6 K colder than Vostok so has the potential to record an even lower temperature.
Energy, water, and carbon fluxes in a loblolly pine stand: Results from uniform and gappy canopy models with comparisons to eddy flux data
Authors: Song Conghe , Katul Gabriel , Oren Ram , Band Lawrence E. , Tague Christina L. , Stoy Paul C. , McCarthy Heather R.
Published: December 2009

This study investigates the impacts of canopy structure specification on modeling net radiation (Rn), latent heat flux (LE) and net photosynthesis (An) by coupling two contrasting radiation transfer models with a two‐leaf photosynthesis model for a maturing loblolly pine stand near Durham, North Carolina, USA. The first radiation transfer model is based on a uniform canopy representation (UCR) that assumes leaves are randomly distributed within the canopy, and the second radiation transfer model is based on a gappy canopy representation (GCR) in which leaves are clumped into individual crowns, thereby forming gaps between the crowns. To isolate the effects of canopy structure on model results, we used identical model parameters taken from the literature for both models. Canopy structure has great impact on energy distribution between the canopy and the forest floor. Comparing the model results, UCR produced lower Rn, higher LE and higher An than GCR. UCR intercepted more shortwave radiation inside the canopy, thus producing less radiation absorption on the forest floor and in turn lower Rn. There is a higher degree of nonlinearity between An estimated by UCR and by GCR than for LE. Most of the difference for LE and An between UCR and GCR occurred around noon, when gaps between crowns can be seen from the direction of the incident sunbeam. Comparing with eddy‐covariance measurements in the same loblolly pine stand from May to September 2001, based on several measures GCR provided more accurate estimates for Rn, LE and An than UCR. The improvements when using GCR were much clearer when comparing the daytime trend of LE and An for the growing season. Sensitivity analysis showed that UCR produces higher LE and An estimates than GCR for canopy cover ranging from 0.2 to 0.8. There is a high degree of nonlinearity in the relationship between UCR estimates for An and those of GCR, particularly when canopy cover is low, and suggests that simple scaling of UCR parameters cannot compensate for differences between the two models. LE from UCR and GCR is also nonlinearly related when canopy cover is low, but the nonlinearity quickly disappears as canopy cover increases, such that LE from UCR and GCR are linearly related and the relationship becomes stronger as canopy cover increases. These results suggest the uniform canopy assumption can lead to underestimation of Rn, and overestimation of LE and An. Given the potential in mapping regional scale forest canopy structure with high spatial resolution optical and Lidar remote sensing plotforms, it is possible to use GCR for up‐scaling ecosystem processes from flux tower measurements to heterogeneous landscapes, provided the heterogeneity is not too extreme to modify the flow dynamics.
Vowel Acoustics in Adults With Apraxia of Speech
Authors: Jacks Adam , Mathes Katey A. , Marquardt Thomas P.
Published: December 2009

Purpose

To investigate the hypothesis that vowel production is more variable in adults with acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) relative to healthy individuals with unimpaired speech. Vowel formant frequency measures were selected as the specific target of focus.

Method

Seven adults with AOS and aphasia produced 15 repetitions of 6 American English vowels in /hVC/ context (
hid,
head,
hat,
hot,
hub,
hoot
). Vowel formant frequency measures (F1, F2) were Bark transformed and compared with data from archival sources.

Results

Measures of vowel acoustics in speakers with AOS did not differ from those of unimpaired speakers, including absolute Bark formant values, vowel space area, intervowel distance, and individual trial-to-trial formant variability.

Conclusion

Comparison with normative acoustic measures suggested that vowel production at the word level is unimpaired in the current speakers with AOS, supporting previous studies that have shown vowel production is relatively intact in AOS.
Effect of Dystrophin Deficiency on Selected Intrinsic Laryngeal Muscles of themdxMouse
Authors: Fry Lisa T. , Stemple Joseph C. , Andreatta Richard D. , Harrison Anne L. , Andrade Francisco H.
Published: December 2009

Background

Intrinsic laryngeal muscles (ILM) show biological differences from the broader class of skeletal muscles. Yet most research regarding ILM specialization has been completed on a few muscles, most notably the thyroarytenoid and posterior cricoarytenoid. Little information exists regarding the biology of other ILM. Early evidence suggests that the interarytenoid (IA) and cricothyroid (CT) may be more similar to classic skeletal muscle than their associated laryngeal muscles. Knowledge of the IA and CT’s similarity or dissimilarity to typical skeletal muscle may hold implications for the treatment of dysphonia.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to further define IA and CT biology by examining their response to the biological challenge of dystrophin deficiency.

Method

Control and dystrophin-deficient superior cricoarytenoid (SCA; mouse counterpart of IA) and CT muscles were examined for fiber morphology, sarcolemmal integrity, and immunohistochemical detection of dystrophin.

Results

Despite the absence of dystrophin, experimental muscles did not show disease markers.

Conclusions

The SCA and the CT appear spared in dystrophin-deficient mouse models. These laryngeal muscles possess specializations that separate them from typical skeletal muscle. Considered in light of previous research, the CT and IA may represent transitional form of muscle, evidencing properties of typical and specialized skeletal muscle.
Use of a Visual Graphic Language System to Support Communication for Persons on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Shane Howard C. , O'Brien Meghan , Sorce James
Published: December 2009

This paper addresses use of visual graphic language to promote learning and communication for individuals on the autism spectrum via a comprehensive framework. Specifically, visuals are used expressively (Visual Expressive Mode), receptively (Visual Instructional Mode), and to provide organization and structure (Visual Organizational Mode). Seven key communicative functions are defined and discussed, including protesting and refusal, organization and transitions, requests, directives, comments, questions, and social pragmatics. The nature of visual supports for each communicative function is described in detail.
Assessment and Treatment Approaches for the Patient With COPD
Authors: Alexander Jocelyn E.
Published: December 2009

As more adults reach their later years, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) becomes a highly complicating factor with regards to overall health. For the purpose of this article, “COPD” is used as an umbrella term that includes emphysema, bronchitis, and, at times, asthma. It is progressive in nature. The main symptoms of COPD are usually readily apparent to the skilled observer: shortness of breath, decreased capacity for physical activity, presence of a chronic obstructive cough, loss of appetite with possible weight loss, and increased fatigue (Connell & Richman, 2009). Not surprisingly, this short list of symptoms alone can create havoc for the speech-language pathologist, because COPD can cause a multitude of problems, including voice, communication, and swallowing disorders.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication in the Geriatric Population: A Review of Literature
Authors: Crema Christopher
Published: December 2009

Speech-language pathologists working in the subacute rehabilitation setting often evaluate and treat patients with complex communication impairments. Many of these patients benefit from the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to facilitate expression of basic wants and needs. When it comes to implementing an AAC system into a care plan, there are a vast number of options available. A thorough evaluation is crucial when determining the most appropriate AAC system to use. These systems can range from gesturing, to a static overlay board, to a more complex, dynamic high tech device. Implementation of AAC systems has been proven to assist people with severe communication deficits that have been caused by a variety of medical conditions. Numerous studies have documented the efficacy of the use of AAC systems with individuals with traumatic brain injury, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and developmental disabilities. However, little has been documented regarding the use of AAC in the dementia, aphasia, and geriatric populations. This article will review the literature regarding the use of AAC with these populations.
High temperature carrier controlled ferromagnetism in alkali doped ZnO nanorods
Authors: Chawla Santa , Jayanthi K. , Kotnala R. K.
Published: December 2009

Recent efforts in developing spintronic and magneto-optoelectric material for applications have relied on the use of magnetic semiconductors doped with transition metals and have met with limited success. Using a fresh synthesis approach using alkali ions we demonstrate that alkali doped zinc oxide can provide high temperature magnetic semiconductors. We report studies on nanocrystalline powder and pellets of p-type ZnO:Li and ZnO:Na that exhibit ferromagnetism up to 554 K. The ferromagnetic behavior was confirmed from magnetic hysteresis, ferromagnetic resonance, magnetic force microscopy, and explained by a model where substitutional Li+/Na+ in cation site induce local magnetic moments on oxygen atoms. Optimum dopant concentrations enable ferromagnetic exchange interaction leading to high Curie temperature.
A luminescence lifetime assisted ratiometric fluorimeter for biological applications
Authors: Lam Hung , Kostov Yordan , Rao Govind , Tolosa Leah
Published: December 2009

In general, the most difficult task in developing devices for fluorescence ratiometric sensing is the isolation of signals from overlapping emission wavelengths. Wavelength discrimination can be achieved by using monochromators or bandpass filters, which often lead to decreased signal intensities. The result is a device that is both complex and expensive. Here we present an alternative system—a low-cost standalone optical fluorimeter based on luminescence lifetime assisted ratiometric sensing (LARS). This paper describes the principle of this technique and the overall design of the sensor device. The most significant innovation of LARS is the ability to discriminate between two overlapping luminescence signals based on differences in their luminescence decay rates. Thus, minimal filtering is required and the two signals can be isolated despite significant overlap of luminescence spectra. The result is a device that is both simple and inexpensive. The electronic circuit employs the lock-in amplification technique for the signal processing and the system is controlled by an onboard microcontroller. In addition, the system is designed to communicate with external devices via Bluetooth.
Resonance excitation of single rotons in He II by an electromagnetic wave. Spectral line shape
Authors: Rybalko A. S. , Rubets S. P. , Rudavskii E. Ya. , Tikhiy V. A. , Poluectov Yu. M. , Golovachenko R. V. , Derkach V. N. , Tarapov S. I. , Usatenko O. V.
Published: December 2009

The amplitude-frequency characteristic of the spectral line of electromagnetic absorption in liquid helium is measured in the frequency range 40–200GHz at temperatures in the interval 1.4–2.75K. It is found that in the roton frequency region a narrow resonance absorption line on a broad pedestal is observed. The results are compared with data on the roton spectrum found in neutron scattering experiments in liquid helium. The narrow line is due to the creation of a single roton. It is shown that the momentum conservation law is satisfied on account of the transfer of momentum to the superfluid component. The analogy of this effect with the Mössbauer effect is pointed out.
Anisotropy of the magnetic properties and the electronic structure of transition-metal diborides
Authors: Fedorchenko A. V. , Grechnev G. E. , Panfilov A. S. , Logosha A. V. , Svechkarev I. V. , Filippov V. B. , Lyashchenko A. B. , Evdokimova A. V.
Published: December 2009

The temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibility χ and its anisotropy Δχ=χ∥−χ⊥ have been measured for hexagonal single crystals of transition-metal diborides MB2 (M=Sc,Ti,V,Zr,Hf) in the temperature interval 4.2–300K. It is found that the anisotropy Δχ is weakly temperature-dependent, a nonmonotonic function of the filling of the hybridized p−d conduction band, and largest for group-IV transition metals. First-principles calculations of the electronic structure of diborides and the values of the paramagnetic contributions (spin and Van Vleck) to their susceptibility show that the behavior of the magnetic anisotropy is due to the competition between Van Vleck paramagnetism and orbital diamagnetism of the conduction electrons.
Magnetic anisotropy of Co∕Cu (111) superlattices: calculation and experiment
Authors: Kut’ko K. V. , Kaplienko A. I. , Nikolova É. P. , Anders A. G. , Zorchenko V. V. , Stetsenko A. N. , Kajňakova M.
Published: December 2009

The results of theoretical calculations and experimental data for the effective magnetic anisotropy Keff (obtained from ferromagnetic resonance measurements) of [Co(8Å)∕Cu(dCu)]20 (dCu=7–22Å) superlattices with a coherent interaction of the Co and Cu layers prepared by magnetron sputtering are presented. The experimental values of Keff are an oscillatory function of the thickness dCu interlayers. The computed and experimentally measured dependences Keff(dCu) are qualitatively similar; stable growth of the parameter Keff with increasing thickness of the nonmagnetic layers is observed (against the background of oscillations of the experimental curve), which is a direct consequence of the growth of axial distortions of the initial cubic structure of cobalt under the conditions of pseudomorphism. The reasons for the appearance of oscillations of Keff are discussed; the main one is the oscillatory behavior of the roughness of the interfaces of the layers with increasing dCu, resulting in synchronous oscillations of Keff, resistivity, magnetoresistance, and the ferromagnetic resonance linewidth.
Electronic structure of a (12, 0) carbon nanotube encapsulated with crystalline potassium
Authors: But’ko V. G. , Gusev A. A. , Shevtsova T. N. , Pashkevich Yu. G.
Published: December 2009

The methods of density functional theory are used to perform calculations of the band structure of a “zigzag” (12, 0) carbon nanotube, both ideal and filled with one-dimensional tetragonal crystalline potassium. The calculations take account of optimization of the structural parameters. It is shown that, in contrast to the case of a nanotube with a one-dimensional potassium chain, not only the surface of the nanotube but also its metal core conduct.
Characterization of Pt/Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12/HfO2/Si structure using a hafnium oxide as buffer layer for ferroelectric-gate field effect transistors
Authors: Xie Dan , Luo Yafeng , Han Xueguang , Ren Tianling , Liu Litian
Published: December 2009

We have investigated the structural and electrical properties of metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) capacitors with Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 (BNdT) thin film deposited on Si and hafnium oxide (HfO2)/Si substrates. Microstructural analysis reveals the formation of well-crystallized BNdT perovskite film and good interface between BNdT film and HfO2 buffer layer. Pt/BNdT/HfO2/Si structure exhibits a memory window of 1.12 V at an operation voltage of 3.5 V. The width of memory window for the MFIS structure varies with increasing thickness of HfO2 layer, and 4-nm-thickness is optimum. The results from the fatigue test indicate a slight degradation of the memory window after 1010 switching cycles. These properties are encouraging for the development of ferroelectric memory transistors.
Competing magnetic anisotropies in an antiferromagnet-ferromagnet-antiferromagnet trilayer
Authors: Bali R. , Nelson-Cheeseman B. B. , Scholl A. , Arenholz E. , Suzuki Y. , Blamire M. G.
Published: December 2009

An antiferromagnet-ferromagnet-antiferromagnet trilayer was grown in magnetic field using CoMn, permalloy (Py), and FeMn, respectively. Magnetometry studies show that the direction of exchange coupling of CoMn with Py was perpendicular to that of Py with FeMn. These results are explained by a spin flop in the CoMn layer and show that the spin structure of an antiferromagnet may undergo severe modification due to a relatively small magnetic field applied during its growth. The perpendicular exchange coupling was exploited in the CoMn-Py-FeMn trilayer to manipulate the easy axis of the ferromagnet.
Theoretical investigation of the ground and low-lying excited states of gallium and indium silicides, GaSi and InSi
Authors: Tzeli Demeter , Petsalakis Ioannis D. , Theodorakopoulos Giannoula
Published: December 2009

The electronic structure and the bonding of 13 electronic states of the diatomic gallium silicide (GaSi) and indium silicide (InSi) have been studied by multireference configuration interaction and coupled clusters methods in conjunction with the basis set (aug-)cc-pwCVQZ(-PP). Potential energy curves have been constructed for all states. Binding energies, spectroscopic parameters, and dipole moments have been calculated. Moreover, the bonding in the different states is analyzed. The potential energy curves of the two molecules, GaSi and InSi, are similar. The binding energies and the bond distances of the ground states of the molecules, XΣ−4, are De=56.2kcal∕mol (GaSi) and 51.9kcal∕mol (InSi) and Re=2.406Å (GaSi) and 2.603Å (InSi). The first excited state aΣ−2 is calculated at 17kcal∕mol above the ground state in both molecules.
Liquid Ge2Sb2Te5 studied by extended x-ray absorption
Authors: Kolobov A. V. , Fons P. , Krbal M. , Simpson R. E. , Hosokawa S. , Uruga T. , Tanida H. , Tominaga J.
Published: December 2009

We report on x-ray absorption studies of the structure of the liquid phase of a prototypical phase-change material Ge2Sb2Te5. We demonstrate that the local structure of liquid Ge2Sb2Te5 is very similar to that of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5. Ge atoms in the liquid phase are found to be covalently bonded suggesting a semiconducting nature of the melt.
Strong size-dependent characteristics of carrier injection in quantum-confined silicon nanocrystals
Authors: Cho Chang-Hee , Kim Sang-Kyun , Kim Baek-Hyun , Park Seong-Ju
Published: December 2009

We report the strong size-dependent carrier injection process in quantum-confined silicon nanocrystals embedded in silicon nitride films. As the diameter of silicon nanocrystals increases, the threshold voltage for carrier injection decreases whereas the number of injected carriers increases due to the quantum size effect. The tunneling time for the carrier injection is decreased by two orders of magnitude when the diameter of silicon nanocrystals is increased from 3.4 to 5.0 nm, and this is attributed to the enhanced nonresonant tunneling in the larger silicon nanocrystals.
Comprehensive doping and temperature studies of spin relaxation in InSb
Authors: Guzun D. , DeCuir E. A. , Kunets Vas. P. , Mazur Yu. I. , Salamo G. J. , Murphy S. Q. , Jayathilaka P. A. R. Dilhani , Mishima T. D. , Santos M. B.
Published: December 2009

Time resolved pump-probe measurements of the spin relaxation rate in thick epilayers and bulk InSb have been carried out for a wide range of doping concentrations (intrinsic—2×1018 cm−3) and temperatures (20 to 300 K). Our results are consistent with the dominance of the Elliott–Yafet mechanism across a wide range of carrier concentrations and temperatures for which the electron energy is less than 100 meV.
Monte Carlo simulation of the percolation in Ag30Ge17Se53 amorphous electrolyte films
Authors: Chen L. , Li Q. C. , Guo H. X. , Gao L. G. , Xia Y. D. , Yin J. , Liu Z. G.
Published: December 2009

Monte Carlo simulations using a dielectrophoresis model were performed to investigate the microstructural evolution and the conductance change of an Ag30Ge17Se53 electrolyte film clapped by a Ag active electrode, at which a positive bias was applied, and a Pt inert electrode. It has been revealed that driven by the electrical field Ag ions were injected into the electrolyte from the Ag electrode to form conductive particles, thereafter, the particles align themselves in nanowires connecting Ag electrode and Pt electrode and leading to an electrical percolation. It is responsible for the resistive switching of the system. The transmission electron microscopic observations and resistive measurement results are in good agreement with the results of simulations.
The symbiotic mites of some Appalachian Xystodesmidae (Diplopoda:Polydesmida) and the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the mite Stylochyrus rarior (Berlese) (Acari:Mesostigmata:Ologamasidae)
Authors: Swafford Lynn , Bond Jason E.
Published: December 2009

Millipedes of the family Xystodesmidae (Polydesmida) are often host to several symbiotic mite species, but very little work has been done to identify these acarines or to understand their relationship to the millipedes. In an attempt to better understand these associations, mites found on xystodesmid millipedes, a group for which a species phylogeny has been proposed, were collected in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Mites in the genera Stylochyrus Canestrini & Canestrini, 1882 (Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) and Schwiebea Oudemans, 1916 (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) were prevalent among millipedes in the genera Apheloria Chamberlin, 1921, Appalachioria Marek & Bond, 2006, Boraria Chamberlin, 1943, Brachoria Chamberlin, 1939, Dixioria Chamberlin, 1947, Nannaria Chamberlin, 1918, Pleuroloma Rafinesque, 1820, Prionogonus Shelley, 1982, Rudiloria Causey, 1955 and Sigmoria Chamberlin, 1939. Of the mite taxa collected, the species Stylochyrus rarior (Berlese, 1916) was found on the greatest number of sampled millipede taxa. To enhance future coevolutionary studies of xystodesmid millipedes and their mite symbionts, the complete mitochondrial genome of S. rarior associated with the millipede genus Apheloria (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae) was sequenced. The genome is 14 899 nucleotides in length, has all the typical genes of an arthropod mitochondrion, differs in gene arrangement from that of the ancestral arthropod, and has a gene order that is unique among mites and ticks. The major difference in S. rarior is the placement of the protein-coding gene nad1, which is positioned between the rRNA gene 12S and the protein-coding gene nad2 (tRNA genes and non-coding regions excluded). There are also two non-coding control regions within this mitochondrial genome.