bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double bursts inside a poleward‐moving auroral form in the cusp
Authors: Taguchi S. , Hosokawa K. , Ogawa Y. , Aoki T. , Taguchi M.
Published: November 2012

Poleward‐moving auroral forms (PMAF), the ionospheric signatures of flux transfer events (FTEs), are intermittent phenomena observed in the cusp during negative interplanetary magnetic field intervals. Previous meridian scanning photometer‐based observations showed that the distribution of the separation time between successive PMAFs is maximum at ∼3.5 min. In this paper we present initial results from a new high‐sensitivity all‐sky imager, which was set up at Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway in October 2011. The 630.0‐nm all‐sky images taken with a time resolution of 4 s reveal that one of the PMAFs that occurred with such typical separation times on 29 December 2011 comprises two consecutive auroral bursts—the first occurring in the PMAF immediately after it was seen and the second, ∼2 min later, following almost the same route. This observation provides evidence that one PMAF could reflect double FTEs—there is not always a one‐to‐one correspondence between FTEs and PMAFs. Reconnection on the dayside magnetopause would be modulated with a period of ∼2 min during the course of transient reconnection.
The role of type II spicules in the upper solar atmosphere
Authors: Klimchuk J. A.
Published: November 2012

We examine the suggestion that most of the hot plasma in the Sun's corona comes from type II spicule material that is heated as it is ejected from the chromosphere. This contrasts with the traditional view that the corona is filled via chromospheric evaporation that results from coronal heating. We explore the observational consequences of a hypothetical spicule dominated corona and conclude from the large discrepancy between predicted and actual observations that only a small fraction of the hot plasma can be supplied by spicules (<2% in active regions, <5% in the quiet Sun, and <8% in coronal holes). The red‐blue asymmetries of EUV spectral lines and the ratio of lower transition region (LTR;T ≤ 0.1 MK) to coronal emission measures are both predicted to be 2 orders of magnitude larger than observed. Furthermore, hot spicule material would cool dramatically by adiabatic expansion as it rises into the corona, so substantial coronal heating would be needed to maintain the high temperatures that are seen at all altitudes. We suggest that the corona contains a mixture of thin strands, some of which are populated by spicule injections, but most of which are not. A majority of the observed hot emission originates in non‐spicule strands and is explained by traditional coronal heating models. However, since these models predict far too little emission from the LTR, most of this emission comes from the bulk of the spicule material that is only weakly heated and visible in He II (304 Å) as it falls back to the surface.
Evaluating the opposing wave interaction hypothesis for the generation of microbaroms in the eastern North Pacific
Authors: Walker Kristoffer T.
Published: November 2012

Two microphone arrays were deployed in California during 2010 to record microbaroms, quasi‐continuous atmospheric pressure oscillations with a period of ∼5 s. In this paper a time‐progressive, frequency domain beamforming method is developed and used to analyze microbaroms recorded by these and 10 other infrasonic arrays along the North Pacific rim. Common pelagic microbarom sources that move around the North Pacific are observed during the boreal winter. Summertime North Pacific sources are only observed by western Pacific arrays, presumably a result of weaker microbarom radiation and westward stratospheric winds. A well‐defined source is resolved ∼2000 km off the coast of California in January 2011 that moves closer to land over several days. The source locations are corrected for deflection by horizontal winds using acoustic ray trace modeling with range‐dependent atmospheric specifications provided by ground‐to‐space models. The observed source locations do not correlate with anomalies in NOAA Wave Watch 3 (NWW3) model field data. However, application of the opposing wave, microbarom source model of Waxler and Gilbert (2006) to the NWW3 directional wave height spectra output at buoy locations within 1100 km of the western North America coastline predicts microbarom radiation in locations that correlate with observed locations. These results suggest that pelagic North Pacific microbarom radiation detected by infrasonic arrays during the boreal winter could be routinely used to validate NWW3 results in regions with poor sensor coverage.
Assessment of regional climate model simulation estimates over the northeast United States
Authors: Rawlins M. A. , Bradley R. S. , Diaz H. F.
Published: November 2012

Given the coarse scales of coupled atmosphere‐ocean global climate models, regional climate models (RCMs) are increasingly relied upon for studies at scales appropriate for many impacts studies. We use outputs from an ensemble of RCMs participating in the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) to investigate potential changes in seasonal air temperature and precipitation between present (1971–2000) and future (2041–2070) time periods across the northeast United States. The models show a consistent modest cold bias each season and are wetter than observations in winter, spring, and summer. Agreement in spatial variability and pattern correlation is good for air temperature and marginal for precipitation. Two methods were used to evaluate robustness of the mid 21st century change projections; one which estimates model reliability to generate multimodel means and assess uncertainty and a second which depicts multimodel projections by separating lack of climate change signal from lack of model agreement. For air temperature we find changes of 2–3°C are outside the level of internal natural variability and significant at all northeast grid cells. Signals of precipitation increases in winter are significant region wide. Regionally averaged precipitation changes for spring, summer, and autumn are within the level of natural variability. This study raises confidence in mid 21st century temperature projections across the northeast United States and illustrates the value in comprehensive assessments of regional climate model projections over time and space scales where natural variability may obscure signals of anthropogenically forced changes.
Empirical assessment of uncertainties of meteorological parameters and turbulent fluxes in the AmeriFlux network
Authors: Schmidt Andres , Hanson Chad , Chan W. Stephen , Law Beverly E.
Published: November 2012

Terrestrial ecosystem‐atmosphere exchange of carbon, water vapor, and energy has been measured for over a decade at many sites globally. To minimize measurement and analysis errors, quality assurance data have been collected over short periods along‐side tower instruments at AmeriFlux research sites. Theoretical and empirical error and uncertainty values have been reported for various aspects of the eddy covariance technique but until recently it has not been possible to constrain network level variation based on direct comparison of side‐by‐side measurements. Paired observations, although rare in practice, offer a possibility to obtain real‐world error estimates for flux observations and corresponding uncertainties. In this study, we report the relative instrumental errors from the AmeriFlux quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) site intercomparisons of 84 site visits (2002–2012). Relative errors, including random and systematic instrumental errors, are presented for meteorological and radiation variables, gas concentrations, and the turbulent fluxes. The lowest relative errors (<2%) were found for the meteorological parameters, while the largest relative errors were found for latent heat and CO2 fluxes. The mean relative instrumental error for CO2 flux averaged −8.2% (underestimation by the tower instruments). Sensible and latent heat fluxes exhibited mean errors of −1.7% and −5.2%, respectively. Deviation around the mean was also largest for the turbulent fluxes, approaching 20%. Because the data collected during QA/QC site visits are used to identify and correct errors, our results represent a conservative estimate of instrumental errors in the AmeriFlux database. Overall, the presented results confirm the high quality of the network data and underline its status as a valuable data source for the research community.
Organometallics aspects of C–H bond activation/functionalization
Authors: Kapdi Anant R.
Published: November 2012

C–H bond activation or functionalization of aliphatic or aromatic C–H bonds via transition-metal based systems has been presented in this chapter. Special emphasis has been given to those examples operating via mechanisms involving bond formation between the metal centre and carbon in aromatic systems towards the formation of bi(hetero)aryls.
Group 2 (Be–Ba) and group 12 (Zn–Hg)
Authors: Dane Sarah B. J. , King Timothy C. , Wright Dominic S.
Published: November 2012

This review presents a perspective of the important structural and synthetic studies reported in 2010. The strict definition of an organometallic compound as one containing at least one C-metal bond or contact has been used throughout the literature survey. As with previous years this review is not intended to be comprehensive, although it is based on a comprehensive search. Individual topics are highlighted in bold in the text in order to facilitate rapid access to a particular area of the literature. Research in 2010 on Group 2 and 12 organometallics was dominated by structural studies of novel types of compounds. This is reflected on the focus of the review for this year in particular.
Structural and functional characterization of the Staphylococcus aureus virulence factor and vaccine candidate FhuD2
Authors: Mariotti Paolo , Malito Enrico , Biancucci Marco , Lo Surdo Paola , Mishra Ravi P. N. , Nardi-Dei Vincenzo , Savino Silvana , Nissum Mikkel , Spraggon Glen , Grandi Guido , Bagnoli Fabio , Bottomley Matthew J.
Published: November 2012

Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen causing globally significant morbidity and mortality. The development of antibiotic resistance in S. aureus highlights the need for a preventive vaccine. In the present paper we explore the structure and function of FhuD2 (ferric-hydroxamate uptake D2), a staphylococcal surface lipoprotein mediating iron uptake during invasive infection, recently described as a promising vaccine candidate. Differential scanning fluorimetry and calorimetry studies revealed that FhuD2 is stabilized by hydroxamate siderophores. The FhuD2–ferrichrome interaction was of nanomolar affinity in surface plasmon resonance experiments and fully iron(III)-dependent. We determined the X-ray crystallographic structure of ligand-bound FhuD2 at 1.9 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution, revealing the bilobate fold of class III SBPs (solute-binding proteins). The ligand, ferrichrome, occupies a cleft between the FhuD2 N- and C-terminal lobes. Many FhuD2–siderophore interactions enable the specific recognition of ferrichrome. Biochemical data suggest that FhuD2 does not undergo significant conformational changes upon siderophore binding, supporting the hypothesis that the ligand-bound complex is essential for receptor engagement and uptake. Finally, immunizations with FhuD2 alone or FhuD2 formulated with hydroxamate siderophores were equally protective in a murine staphylococcal infection model, confirming the suitability and efficacy of apo-FhuD2 as a protective antigen, and suggesting that other class III SBPs might also be exploited as vaccine candidates.
Diagnostic performance of the beam emission spectroscopy system on the National Spherical Torus Experiment
Authors: Smith D. R. , Fonck R. J. , McKee G. R. , Thompson D. S.
Published: November 2012

The beam emission spectroscopy system on the National Spherical Torus Experiment measures localized density fluctuations on the ion gyroscale. Optical sightlines provide core to edge radial coverage, and the sightlines are aligned to typical pitch angles to maximize cross-field spatial resolution. Sightline images are 2–3 cm, and point spread function calculations indicate image distortion from pitch angle misalignment and atomic state finite lifetimes is minor with a 15% increase in the image size. New generation photodetectors achieve photon noise limited measurements at frequencies up to 400 kHz with refrigerant cooling at −20 °C. Measurements near the pedestal show broadband turbulence up to 100 kHz, and poloidal correlation lengths are about 10 cm. Plasma turbulence signals can be 2–3 orders of magnitude above photon noise and amplifier thermal noise.
Oxalyl chloride, ClC(O)C(O)Cl: UV/vis spectrum and Cl atom photolysis quantum yields at 193, 248, and 351 nm
Authors: Ghosh Buddhadeb , Papanastasiou Dimitrios K. , Burkholder James B.
Published: November 2012

Oxalyl chloride, (ClCO)2, has been used as a Cl atom photolytic precursor in numerous laboratory kinetic and photochemical studies. In this study, the UV/vis absorption spectrum of (ClCO)2 and the Cl atom quantum yields in its photolysis at 193, 248, and 351 nm are reported. The UV/vis spectrum was measured between 200 and 450 nm at 296 K using diode array spectroscopy in conjunction with an absolute cross section obtained at 213.9 nm. Our results are in agreement with the spectrum reported by Baklanov and Krasnoperov [J. Phys. Chem. A 105, 97–103 (2001)10.1021/jp0019456], which was obtained at 11 discrete wavelengths between 193.3 and 390 nm. Cl atom quantum yields, Φ(λ), were measured using pulsed laser photolysis coupled with time resolved atomic resonance fluorescence detection of Cl. The UV photolysis of (ClCO)2 has been shown in previous studies to occur via an impulsive three-body dissociation mechanism, (COCl)2 + hv → ClCO* + Cl + CO (2), where the excited ClCO radical, ClCO*, either dissociates or stabilizes ClCO* → Cl + CO (3a), → ClCO (3b). ClCO is thermally unstable at the temperatures (253–298 K) and total pressures (13–128 Torr) used in our experiments ClCO + M → Cl + CO + M (4) leading to the formation of a secondary Cl atom that was resolvable in the Cl atom temporal profiles obtained in the 248 and 351 nm photolysis of (ClCO)2. Φ(193 nm) was found to be 2.07 ± 0.37 independent of bath gas pressure (25.8–105.7 Torr, N2), i.e., the branching ratio for channel 2a or the direct formation of 2Cl + 2CO in the photolysis of (ClCO)2 is >0.95. At 248 nm, the branching ratio for channel 2a was determined to be 0.79 ± 0.15, while the total Cl atom yield, i.e., following the completion of reaction (4), was found to be 1.98 ± 0.26 independent of bath gas pressure (15–70 Torr, N2). Φ(351 nm) was found to be pressure dependent between 7.8 and 122.4 Torr (He, N2). The low-pressure limit of the total Cl atom quantum yield, Φ0(351 nm), was 2.05 ± 0.24. As part of this work, rate coefficients for the thermal decomposition of ClCO were measured between 253 and 298 K at total pressures between 13 and 128 Torr (He and N2 bath gases). The N2 bath gas results were combined with the data reported in Nicovich et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 92, 3539–3544 (1990)10.1063/1.457862] to yield k4(T, N2) = (4.7 ± 0.7) × 10−10 exp [−(2987 ± 16)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1, while the He bath gas data fit yielded k4(T, He) = (2.3 ± 2.1) × 10−10 exp [−(2886 ± 218)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The quoted uncertainties are at the 2σ level from the precision of the fit. In addition, the room temperature rate coefficient for the Cl + ClNO reaction was measured in this work to be (1.03 ± 0.10) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1.
Metastable Lennard-Jones fluids. I. Shear viscosity
Authors: Baidakov Vladimir G. , Protsenko Sergey P. , Kozlova Zaliya R.
Published: November 2012

Molecular dynamics methods have been employed to calculate the coefficient of shear viscosity $\eta _s^*$ηs* of a Lennard-Jones fluid. Calculations have been performed in the range of reduced temperatures 0.4 ⩽ kBT/ɛ ⩽ 2.0 and densities 0.01 ≤ ρσ3 ≤ 1.2. Values of $\eta _s^*$ηs* have been obtained for 217 states, 99 of which refer to metastable liquid and gas regions. The results of calculating $\eta _s^* $ηs* for thermodynamically stable states are in satisfactory agreement with the data of earlier investigations. An equation has been obtained which describes the temperature and density dependence of the coefficient of shear viscosity in stable and metastable regions of the phase diagram up to the boundaries of spontaneous nucleation. The behavior of the coefficient of shear viscosity close to the spinodal of a superheated liquid and supersaturated vapor is discussed and the applicability of the Stokes-Einstein relation at high supercoolings of the liquid phase is examined.
Non-Grassmann mechanical model of the Dirac equation
Authors: Deriglazov A. A. , Rizzuti B. F. , Zamudio G. P. , Castro P. S.
Published: November 2012

We construct a new example of the spinning-particle model without Grassmann variables. The spin degrees of freedom are described on the base of an inner anti-de Sitter space. This produces both Γμ and Γμν-matrices in the course of quantization. Canonical quantization of the model implies the Dirac equation. We present the detailed analysis of both the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian formulations of the model and obtain the general solution to the classical equations of motion. Comparing Zitterbewegung of the spatial coordinate with the evolution of spin, we ask on the possibility of space-time interpretation for the inner space of spin. We enumerate similarities between our analogous model of the Dirac equation and the two-body system subject to confining potential which admits only the elliptic orbits of the order of de Broglie wavelength. The Dirac equation dictates the perpendicularity of the elliptic orbits to the direction of center-of-mass motion.
Some necessary and sufficient conditions for admitting a continuous sphere order representation of two-dimensional space-times
Authors: Vatandoost M. , Bahrampour Y.
Published: November 2012

A space-time may be regarded as a partially ordered set by causal relations. Recently, as a poset, a sphere order representation of a space-time is considered and some interesting results are obtained. In this paper, we define a weakly causally convex open set and characterize connected open subsets of the n-dimensional Minkowski space-time which admit a continuous n-sphere order representation. Then, some necessary and sufficient conditions for admitting a continuous two-sphere order representation of two-dimensional space-times, are given. As a result, it is shown that any simply connected and causally simple space-time of dimension two can be causally isomorphically imbedded into the two-dimensional Minkowski space-time.
Rate coefficients from quantum and quasi-classical cumulative reaction probabilities for the S(1D) + H2 reaction
Authors: Jambrina P. G. , Lara Manuel , Menéndez M. , Launay J.-M. , Aoiz F. J.
Published: November 2012

Cumulative reaction probabilities (CRPs) at various total angular momenta have been calculated for the barrierless reaction S(1D) + H2 → SH + H at total energies up to 1.2 eV using three different theoretical approaches: time-independent quantum mechanics (QM), quasiclassical trajectories (QCT), and statistical quasiclassical trajectories (SQCT). The calculations have been carried out on the widely used potential energy surface (PES) by Ho et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 116, 4124 (2002)10.1063/1.1431280] as well as on the recent PES developed by Song et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 113, 9213 (2009)10.1021/jp903790h]. The results show that the differences between these two PES are relatively minor and mostly related to the different topologies of the well. In addition, the agreement between the three theoretical methodologies is good, even for the highest total angular momenta and energies. In particular, the good accordance between the CRPs obtained with dynamical methods (QM and QCT) and the statistical model (SQCT) indicates that the reaction can be considered statistical in the whole range of energies in contrast with the findings for other prototypical barrierless reactions. In addition, total CRPs and rate coefficients in the range of 20–1000 K have been calculated using the QCT and SQCT methods and have been found somewhat smaller than the experimental total removal rates of S(1D).
An explicitly correlated approach to basis set incompleteness in full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo
Authors: Booth George H. , Cleland Deidre , Alavi Ali , Tew David P.
Published: November 2012

By performing a stochastic dynamic in a space of Slater determinants, the full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC) method has been able to obtain energies which are essentially free from systematic error to the basis set correlation energy, within small and systematically improvable error bars. However, the weakly exponential scaling with basis size makes converging the energy with respect to basis set costly and in larger systems, impossible. To ameliorate these basis set issues, here we use perturbation theory to couple the FCIQMC wavefunction to an explicitly correlated strongly orthogonal basis of geminals, following the ${ [2]_{\textrm {R12}} }$[2]R12 approach of Valeev et al. The required one- and two-particle density matrices are computed on-the-fly during the FCIQMC dynamic, using a sampling procedure which incurs relatively little additional computation expense. The F12 energy corrections are shown to converge rapidly as a function of sampling, both in imaginary time and number of walkers. Our pilot calculations on the binding curve for the carbon dimer, which exhibits strong correlation effects as well as substantial basis set dependence, demonstrate that the accuracy of the FCIQMC-F12 method surpasses that of all previous FCIQMC calculations, and that the F12 correction improves results equivalent to increasing the quality of the one-electron basis by two cardinal numbers.
Collective degrees of freedom involved in absorption and desorption of surfactant molecules in spherical non-ionic micelles
Authors: Ahn Yong Nam , Mohan Gunjan , Kopelevich Dmitry I.
Published: November 2012

Dynamics of absorption and desorption of a surfactant monomer into and out of a spherical non-ionic micelle is investigated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It is shown that these processes involve a complex interplay between the micellar structure and the monomer configuration. A quantitative model for collective dynamics of these degrees of freedom is developed. This is accomplished by reconstructing a multi-dimensional free energy landscape of the surfactant-micelle system using constrained MD simulations in which the distance between the micellar and monomer centers of mass is held constant. Results of this analysis are verified by direct (unconstrained) MD simulations of surfactant absorption in the micelle. It is demonstrated that the system dynamics is likely to deviate from the minimum energy path on the energy landscape. These deviations create an energy barrier for the monomer absorption and increase an existing barrier for the monomer desorption. A reduced Fokker-Planck equation is proposed to model these effects.
Optimal algorithm for spray pyrolysis deposition of TiO2 films by using an industrial robot
Authors: Enescu Monica , Alexandru Cătălin
Published: November 2012

This paper approaches the optimization of the spray pyrolysis deposition (SPD) using an industrial robot. The purpose is to develop an optimal algorithm for obtaining uniform films on a planar surface. The design objective refers to the uniformity of the film, the aim being to optimize the difference in thickness between two specific points on the sample. The characteristic parameters of the SPD process (the substrate temperature, the height of spraying cone, the spraying angle, the carrier gas pressure, the trajectory step, the time between two passes, and the number of consecutive passes on the substrate) are used as design variables in the optimization. The investigation strategy is based on a design of experiments technique (Plackett-Burman), obtaining the appropriate regression function. The goodness-of-fit has been verified by computing the variance in the predicted results versus the real data, the probability that the fitted model has no useful terms, and the significance of the regression. Experimental results are used to validate the optimization algorithm.
Variation of anode grid surface morphology and its effect on operation of a triode virtual cathode oscillator
Authors: Xu Qifu , Cai Dan , Zhang Qiang , Zhao Xuelong , Zhao Qi , Cheng Guoxin , Liu Lie
Published: November 2012

After repeatedly operation of a triode virtual cathode oscillator, the surface morphology of anode grid is studied by a scanning electron microscope. It is found that there are many quasi-periodic sawteeth formed on the anode grid, which are about 300–500 μm in height, ∼200 μm in width, and 150–200 μm in period. The formation of this sawteeth implies that there is possible Rayleigh-Taylor-like instability on the anode grid during the irradiation by high-current relativistic electron beam. These sawteeth enhance the electric field on anode grid, leading to more feasible of anode plasma generation, and more rapidly expansion of that plasma. As a result, the electron transmissivity of anode grid is decreased, the output microwave power of the virtual cathode oscillator is lowered and its operational performance is degraded.
Continuous sheath-free magnetic separation of particles in a U-shaped microchannel
Authors: Liang Litao , Xuan Xiangchun
Published: November 2012

Particle separation is important to many chemical and biomedical applications. Magnetic field-induced particle separation is simple, cheap, and free of fluid heating issues that accompany electric, acoustic, and optical methods. We develop herein a novel microfluidic approach to continuous sheath-free magnetic separation of particles. This approach exploits the negative or positive magnetophoretic deflection to focus and separate particles in the two branches of a U-shaped microchannel, respectively. It is applicable to both magnetic and diamagnetic particle separations, and is demonstrated through the sorting of 5 μm and 15 μm polystyrene particles suspended in a dilute ferrofluid.
Demographic indicators of trust in federal, state and local government: implications for Australian health policy makers
Authors: Meyer Samantha B. , Mamerow Loreen , Taylor Anne W. , Henderson Julie , Ward Paul R. , Coveney John
Published: November 2012

Objective. To provide baseline findings regarding Australians’ trust in federal, state and local government. Methods. A computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) survey was administrated during October to December 2009 to a random sample (n = 1109) across Australia (response rate 41.2%). Binary logistic regression analyses were carried out by means of SPSS. Results. Age, household size, household income, IRSD and ARIA were found to be significant indicators for trust in federal, state and local government. Trust in state government is lower for older respondents and respondents living in inner and outer regional areas. Trust in local council is lower in respondents living in inner regional areas, respondents living in disadvantaged areas, and respondents in the income bracket of $60 001 to $100 000. Trust in federal government is lower for older respondents and respondents living in disadvantaged areas. Of note is diminished trust in government among older, regional and lower income ($30 001–$60 000) respondents. Conclusions. Trust in all levels of government was found to be the lowest in population groups that are identified by empirical research and media to have the poorest access to government services. As a consequence, improved access to services for these populations may increase trust in health policy. Increased trust in health governance may in turn, ensure effective dissemination and implementation of health policies and that existing inequities are not perpetuated through distrust of health information and policy initiatives. What is known about the topic? Evidence suggests that a lack of trust in government and associated programs has significant implications for the implementation and uptake of health services and programs. What does this paper add? Despite the importance of trust and the acknowledgement that citizen trust is declining, baseline information on Australians’ trust in state, federal and local government has not been published. What are the implications for practitioners? Findings highlight specific populations where trust in government is found to be low. Given the importance of trust in the acceptance of policy, this paper provides valuable information for policy makers interested in developing trust as a means of increasing public acceptance of policy.
Constructing a framework for quality activity in primary care
Authors: Perera G. A. Roshan , Dowell Anthony C. , Morris Caroline J.
Published: November 2012

Introduction.
In 2009, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners commissioned the development of a framework to facilitate quality-improvement activity in primary care settings. This paper outlines the development of the framework, which integrates concepts of quality with the reality of practice-based clinical care, and discusses its value for primary care quality improvement.

Method.
Framework development involved: (1) literature review of theoretical approaches to healthcare quality; (2) field work utilising a mixed methods approach to obtain empirical data; and (3) model design.

Results.
Primary care practitioners are juggling competing priorities. Models and tools that promote quality-related activity at practice level need to take into account, and incorporate by design, day-to-day clinical and practice functions.

Conclusions.
The quality framework identifies the components of primary care practice and locates this model within the concepts and activities necessary for quality improvement. It may be used by primary care organisations and practices to facilitate focussed quality-improvement activity and self-directed process review. The framework was developed for, and within a New Zealand primary care setting, and is applicable internationally and within other healthcare settings.

What is known about the topic?
Primary care practitioners are frequently juggling competing priorities while participating in an array of professional development, quality assurance, and improvement activities, some perceived to be of little relevance to day-to-day clinical care.

What does this paper add?
The framework integrates concepts of quality with the reality of practice-based clinical care. The function of the framework is to ensure all relevant aspects of practice are considered in a systematic and comprehensive manner to obtain quality improvement.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The framework is a practical tool that can guide practices and organisational stakeholders to continually deconstruct, examine and reassemble any practice-based clinical care activity. Practices wishing to undertake quality-improvement activity within the context of clinical care may use the framework to guide critical thinking at practice level.
Foraging strategies of goats in a pasture of wheat and shrubland
Authors: Tölü Cemil , Yurtman İsmail Yaman , Baytekin Harun , Ataşoğlu Cengiz , Savaş Türker
Published: November 2012

Cereal pastures are a crucial source of forage to reduce grazing pressure on shrublands in the Mediterranean basin. This study aimed at investigating the grazing preferences and behaviours of goats with different genotypes, when a grazing area of shrubland (0.18 ha), which was composed of 88% shrubs, 10% herbaceous species and 2% footpath and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) pasture (0.20 ha) were offered together. Twelve lactating mature (in 2007) and 15 non-lactating yearling goats (in 2008) of three genotypes (Gökçeada, Maltese and Turkish Saanen) were used. The study was carried out for 45 days during the months of April and May. Animals stayed in the pasture for 8 h daily. No roughage or concentrate was offered. Grazing, lying, standing and ruminating behaviours were recorded at 10-min intervals, whereas bipedal stance and walking behaviours were continuously monitored by observers. Mature goats spent one-third and yearling goats spent half of their time in the shrubs. The frequency of preferences to pasture types differed among mature goat genotypes (P ≤ 0.05), but not among the yearling goats (P > 0.05). Grazing of wheat pasture by Gökçeada, of herbaceous plants in the shrubland by Maltese and of shrubs by Turkish Saanen goats were more prominent (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, goats gave priority to wheat pasture and grazing preferences and behaviours differed by genotypes. Turkish Saanen goats tended to show more bipedal stance behaviour than the other genotypes. However, there were high individual variations within genotype and age groups.
Preparation of Magnetic Ionic Liquids Composed of Hybrid-Type Anions
Authors: Takagi Yumiko , Kusunoki Yoriko , Yoshida Yukihiro , Tanaka Hirofusa , Saito Gunzi , Katagiri Kosuke , Oshiki Toshiyuki
Published: November 2012

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([C2mim][EtSO4]) was mixed with iron(III) chloride·6H2O to give a magnetic ionic liquid composed of the hybrid-type anion, [C2mim][FeCl3·EtSO4], which showed a slightly different magnetic property than [C2mim][FeCl4]. On the other hand, reaction of [C2mim][EtSO4] with cobalt(II) chloride hydrate formed [C2mim]2[CoIICl4], the structure of which was characterised by X-ray crystallographic analysis.
Mutational loss of Arabidopsis SLOW WALKER2 results in reduced endogenous spermine concomitant with increased aluminum sensitivity
Authors: Nezames Cynthia D. , Ochoa Vanessa , Larsen Paul B.
Published: November 2012

A previously-identified Arabidopsis mutant with hypersensitivity to aluminum, als7–1 was studied further to determine the nature of the mutation and subsequently establish the biochemical basis of the increase in Al sensitivity. Physiological analysis revealed that the Al hypersensitivity phenotype is correlated with increased Al uptake and Al-dependent gene expression, indicating that als7–1 has a defect in an Al-exclusion mechanism. Cloning of the als7–1 mutation showed that it negatively affects the gene encoding the putative nucleolar localised ribosomal biogenesis factor SLOW WALKER2, which is required for normal gametogenesis and mitotic progression. Molecular analysis indicated that Al hypersensitivity in als7–1 is correlated with loss of expression of a factor required for S-adenosylmethionine recycling and reduced levels of endogenous polyamines in the mutant. Further analysis shows that Al-dependent root growth inhibition is reversed by addition of exogenous spermine, which is correlated with a significant reduction in Al uptake by spermine treated roots. Endogenous spermine likely functions to compete with Al3+ for binding to extra- and intracellular anionic sites, which suggests that increased spermine levels may be an effective means to improve root growth in Al toxic acid soil environments.
Optical spectroscopy shows that the normal state of URu
2
Si
2
is an anomalous Fermi liquid
Authors: Nagel Urmas , Uleksin Taaniel , Rõõm Toomas , Lobo Ricardo P. S. M. , Lejay Pascal , Homes Christopher C. , Hall Jesse S. , Kinross Alison W. , Purdy Sarah K. , Munsie Tim , Williams Travis J. , Luke Graeme M. , Timusk Thomas
Published: November 2012

Fermi showed that, as a result of their quantum nature, electrons form a gas of particles whose temperature and density follow the so-called Fermi distribution. As shown by Landau, in a metal the electrons continue to act like free quantum mechanical particles with enhanced masses, despite their strong Coulomb interaction with each other and the positive background ions. This state of matter, the Landau–Fermi liquid, is recognized experimentally by an electrical resistivity that is proportional to the square of the absolute temperature plus a term proportional to the square of the frequency of the applied field. Calculations show that, if electron-electron scattering dominates the resistivity in a Landau–Fermi liquid, the ratio of the two terms,
b
, has the universal value of
b
= 4. We find that in the normal state of the heavy Fermion metal URu
2
Si
2
, instead of the Fermi liquid value of 4, the coefficient
b
= 1 ± 0.1. This unexpected result implies that the electrons in this material are experiencing a unique scattering process. This scattering is intrinsic and we suggest that the uranium
f
electrons do not hybridize to form a coherent Fermi liquid but instead act like a dense array of elastic impurities, interacting incoherently with the charge carriers. This behavior is not restricted to URu
2
Si
2
. Fermi liquid-like states with
b
≠ 4 have been observed in a number of disparate systems, but the significance of this result has not been recognized.
High-pressure study of lithium amidoborane using Raman spectroscopy and insight into dihydrogen bonding absence
Authors: Najiba Shah , Chen Jiuhua
Published: November 2012

One of the major obstacles to the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier is the lack of proper hydrogen storage material. Lithium amidoborane has attracted significant attention as hydrogen storage material. It releases ∼10.9 wt% hydrogen, which is beyond the Department of Energy target, at remarkably low temperature (∼90 °C) without borazine emission. It is essential to study the bonding behavior of this potential material to improve its dehydrogenation behavior further and also to make rehydrogenation possible. We have studied the high-pressure behavior of lithium amidoborane in a diamond anvil cell using in situ Raman spectroscopy. We have discovered that there is no dihydrogen bonding in this material, as the N—H stretching modes do not show redshift with pressure. The absence of the dihydrogen bonding in this material is an interesting phenomenon, as the dihydrogen bonding is the dominant bonding feature in its parent compound ammonia borane. This observation may provide guidance to the improvement of the hydrogen storage properties of this potential material and to design new material for hydrogen storage application. Also two phase transitions were found at high pressure at 3.9 and 12.7 GPa, which are characterized by sequential changes of Raman modes.
Potential Effects of Management on Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Predation on Juvenile Salmonids at a Colony in San Francisco Bay, California
Authors: Adrean Lindsay J. , Roby Daniel D. , Lyons Donald E. , Collis Ken , Evans Allen F.
Published: November 2012

San Francisco Bay is a proposed relocation site for some of the Caspian terns Hydroprogne caspia currently nesting at the world's largest colony for the species in the Columbia River estuary and consuming salmonids listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). However, several runs of salmonids listed under the ESA occur in San Francisco Bay and managers are concerned that increased Caspian tern predation may pose a threat to the recovery of these fish. We used a bioenergetics modeling approach, employing estimates of tern energy requirements and proportions of energy supplied by various prey types, to estimate the consumption of juvenile salmonids by Caspian terns nesting on Brooks Island in central San Francisco Bay during 2008 and 2009. Estimated salmonid consumption was ∼205,000 smolts (95% confidence interval, 175,000–245,000 smolts) in 2008 and ∼167,000 smolts (144,000–191,000 smolts) in 2009. The interannual difference in smolt consumption was due to the smaller size of the tern colony and lower nesting success in 2009. Estimated predation rates on ESA‐listed Central Valley spring‐run Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (0.1%) were lower than those on unlisted fall‐run Chinook salmon (1.0%). Continuation of the current downward trend in the number of Caspian terns nesting on Brooks Island and the resulting reductions in salmonid predation would not be sufficient to reverse salmonid declines in San Francisco Bay. The proposed enhancement of the Brooks Island Caspian tern colony to 3,000 individuals would at most cause declines in annual population growth rates of 0.28% for fall‐run Chinook salmon and 0.02% for threatened spring‐run Chinook salmon, assuming that the mortality from tern predation is 100% additive.
Improving Size Selectivity of Shrimp Trawls in the Gulf of Maine with a Modified Dual-Grid Size-Sorting System
Authors: He Pingguo , Balzano Vincent
Published: November 2012

Finfish bycatch has been drastically reduced since the Nordmøre grid became mandatory in 1992 in the Gulf of Maine trawl fishery for northern shrimp Pandalus borealis. However, the Nordmøre grid does not improve northern shrimp size selection, catching large numbers of small shrimp when they are mixed with large mature shrimp. To reduce the catch of small northern shrimp, a new dual-grid shrimp size-sorting system was developed and tested in a flume tank and at sea to evaluate its potential for reducing catch of juvenile and male shrimp in the Gulf of Maine northern shrimp fishery and to optimize rigging. These tests used a trouser trawl system consisting of one trawl leading to two separate cod ends, which compared a cod end with a dual-grid size-sorting system with another identical cod end without a size-sorting grid. The size-sorting grid had 11-mm bar spacing. The dual-grid size-sorting system significantly reduced the number of small northern shrimp with a carapace length of 22 mm or less and slightly increased catch of large shrimp with a carapace length of 23 mm or larger, when compared with the Nordmøre grid without a size-sorting grid. There was a slight reduction of northern shrimp catch rates due to the release of smaller shrimp but with no significant differences in the number or quantity of major bycatch species between the regular grid and the size-sorting grid. The new dual-grid system was practical to operate and a significant improvement over an earlier version of the size-sorting grid in design, rigging, and handling. The application may reduce small shrimp in other northern shrimp fisheries and other shrimp and prawn fisheries with suitable modification to the design.

Received July 15, 2011; accepted August 2, 2012
Influence of Environmental Variables and Species Interactions on Sport Fish Communities in Small Missouri Impoundments
Authors: Michaletz Paul H. , Obrecht Daniel V. , Jones John R.
Published: November 2012

Small impoundments (<400 ha) are numerous and provide close-to-home fishing opportunities for anglers but may not support optimal sport fisheries. Most of these fisheries are managed by harvest regulations, but watershed and impoundment characteristics, poor water quality, or detrimental species interactions can also influence the desirability of fisheries. We examined the relative importance of watershed characteristics, impoundment morphology, water quality, and species interactions in explaining differences in relative abundance, growth, and size structure of five sport fish species (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, redear sunfish L. microlophus, white crappie Pomoxis annularis, and black crappie P. nigromaculatus) among 89 small Missouri impoundments spanning a large fertility gradient. Using regression analysis, we found that variables associated with predation, competition, and lake fertility were most important in explaining variation in sport fish demographics, whereas watershed and impoundment morphology variables were typically less important. Lakes with dense largemouth bass populations commonly contained sunfish and crappie populations with desirable size structure and growth, implying that predation was a strong structuring force. Density-dependent growth was common among all sport fish species. White crappies and black crappies had better growth or size structure in lakes with fewer bluegills, suggesting competition among these species. Lakes containing common carp Cyprinus carpio had fewer largemouth bass and slower-growing black crappies than lakes without common carp. The presence of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum benefited largemouth bass populations but negatively affected bluegill and black crappie populations. Growth and size structure of sport fishes usually improved with increasing lake fertility. Predation and competition seemed to be most important in structuring sport fish communities in these impoundments provided that lake fertility was adequate to sustain acceptable abundances and growth rates of these fishes.

Received February 10, 2012; accepted August 17, 2012
Impacts of Highway Construction on Redd Counts of Stream-Dwelling Brook Trout
Authors: Pépino Marc , Franssen Jan , Rodríguez Marco A. , Magnan Pierre
Published: November 2012

Sedimentation during road construction is a human impact that threatens aquatic ecosystems. Despite a large body of literature on the effect of fine sediments on the initial developmental stages of fish, we do not know of any studies that have investigated the return of spawners to spawning grounds in streams impacted by sediment from road construction. The objective of this study was to quantify the return to spawning grounds of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis at different stages of highway construction (before, during, and after construction). Redd counts were made at a fine spatial resolution (<0.5 m) over two consecutive years in 12 reaches distributed along a 115-km stretch of highway in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, Quebec. We found a significant decrease in redd counts in reaches affected by construction during the second year but no evidence of impacts in reaches affected by construction during the first year. A possible explanation is that sediment releases were well controlled during construction except after an extreme weather event occurring during the spawning season of the second year. However, we observed that a reach heavily impacted by sediments still supported high densities of spawners. Overall, we found a significant decrease in the absolute number of redd counts in the second year but strong consistency in the spatial distribution of the spawning sites, both within and among reaches and for all stages of highway construction and sediment loadings, which suggests that the return of spawners is more constrained by habitat variables than by sediment from highway construction.

Received March 30, 2012; accepted August 20, 2012
Enhanced transmission via a sub-wavelength hole aperture coupled to a high-permittivity resonator
Authors: Sadaune Véronique , Kang Lei , Lippens Didier
Published: November 2012

One order of magnitude enhanced transmissivity was demonstrated by microwave scattering parameter measurements of a sub-wavelength single hole aperture (λ/20) coupled to a high-permittivity ferroelectric cube (ε
r = 120). It was shown that the large permittivity value allows the concentration of the impinging electromagnetic wave on a millimetre scale, compatible with the deep sub-wavelength millimetre-sized aperture without involving surface plasmon mode propagation as in optics. The transmission enhancement explained by a tight coupling between the dielectric resonator and the sub cut-off aperture was experimentally verified by considering coupling distance and hole size as parameters.