bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The local dissociation phenomenon in a nitrogen afterglow
Authors: Levaton J , Amorim J , Ricard A 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
We used the optical emission spectroscopy diagnostic to study the nitrogen afterglow of a
pure N2 flowing dc discharge operating under particular experimental conditions to
facilitate the simultaneous occurrence of the pink afterglow (PA) and the Lewis–Rayleigh
afterglow. The PA is a special kind of nitrogen plasma occurring outside the direct influence
of an external electric field. The phenomenon results from the flux of energy, introduced in
the nitrogen molecules by the electrons in the discharge region, from the lower to the higher

vibrational levels due to vibrational–vibrational (V–V) and
vibrational–translational (V–T) exchange reactions. We studied the following set of
experimental conditions: discharge electric current
(I = 15–50 mA), gas pressure
(p = 200–1070 Pa) and gas flow rate
(Q = 400–1000 sccm). The emissions of the first
positive system of the nitrogen molecules were monitored from the end of the discharge down to
the end of the post-discharge tube. A kinetic numerical model developed to investigate the
nitrogen afterglow generated a calibrating factor for the 580.4 nm band in such a way that
the relative density of the N(4S) atoms could be measured along the afterglow. The
experimental results indicated that N(4S) atoms are created locally in the afterglow
producing atomic density profiles that follow the behaviour of the other species studied
experimentally in the PA, such as

, N2(B 3Πg),
N2(C 3Πu),

,

, N+,

,

, N(2D) and N(2P). The numerical model was also used to
fit the N2(B 3Πg),

and the N(4S) experimental density profiles and to evaluate the
participation of several kinetic pathways capable of producing local dissociation in the
N2 afterglow. It was found that the dominant dissociation channel in the PA is the
reaction

. Its rate constant was estimated, being approximately
5 × 10−12 cm3 s−1.
Effect of top electrode thickness on the piezoresponse of polycrystalline ferroelectric capacitors
Authors: Wang Longhai , Dai Ying , Yang Lei , Xu Jun , Zou Lianying , Tian Bin , Huang Danxia 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The domain images of ferroelectric capacitors with different top electrode thicknesses in the as-grown and poled states were obtained by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). In poled capacitors, a uniform piezoresponse with the same contrast was obtained for top electrodes of different thicknesses. For capacitors in the as-grown state, a lower piezoresponse was observed with thicker top electrodes, due to the different domain orientations, suppression effect of the ferroelectric domains and the damping effect of the electrode. It is shown that the piezoresponse decreases nonlinearly with the increase in electrode thickness. When the top electrode thickness is above 75 nm, the piezoresponse value is almost zero. When the top electrode thickness is increased from less than 10 to 75 nm, the piezoresponse is reduced rapidly to a very small value. Details of the domain wall, grain boundary and defects gradually become indistinguishable. Our investigation suggests that to obtain clear domain information by PFM based on global excitation, the top electrode thickness should be less than 10 nm.
Evaluation of Net Return Distributions from Alternative Tillage Systems for Grain Sorghum and Soybean Rotations
Authors: Mikesell Chris L. , Williams Jeffery R. , Long James H. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThree tillage systems: conventional tillage, ridge tillage, and no‐tillage are evaluated using stochastic dominance with respect to a function analysis. Each tillage system is evaluated for three cropping patterns: continuous grain sorghum, continuous soybeans, and soybeans after grain sorghum. Conventional tillage continuous grain sorghum would be preferred by risk averse managers, although small changes in production costs and yield differences could lead to indifference between a no‐tillage system and the conventional tillage system.
Comparison of the Financial Results of Record‐Keeping and Average Farms in North Dakota
Authors: Gustafson Cole R. , Nielsen Elizabeth , Morehart Mitchell J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractParticipation in a farm management association enhances members' recordkeeping abilities and provides standards of performance to measure achievement. However, these data can only be generalized to broader populations of farmers if association members are a representative sample. This study compares the financial characteristics of North Dakota farmers belonging to a recordkeeping program and those randomly surveyed by USDA.Association members had significantly different financial characteristics as compared to average farmers in the state. Member farms had substantially more acreage, hired labor, gross income, expenses, assets and liabilities. Equity levels on recordkeeping farms were higher but profitability and returns to equity were statistically lower.
An application of a relational database system for high-throughput prediction of elemental compositions from accurate mass values
Authors: Sakurai Nozomu , Ara Takeshi , Kanaya Shigehiko , Nakamura Yukiko , Iijima Yoko , Enomoto Mitsuo , Motegi Takeshi , Aoki Koh , Suzuki Hideyuki , Shibata Daisuke 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Summary: High-accuracy mass values detected by high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis enable prediction of elemental compositions, and thus are used for metabolite annotations in metabolomic studies. Here, we report an application of a relational database to significantly improve the rate of elemental composition predictions. By searching a database of pre-calculated elemental compositions with fixed kinds and numbers of atoms, the approach eliminates redundant evaluations of the same formula that occur in repeated calculations with other tools. When our approach is compared with HR2, which is one of the fastest tools available, our database search times were at least 109 times shorter than those of HR2. When a solid-state drive (SSD) was applied, the search time was 488 times shorter at 5 ppm mass tolerance and 1833 times at 0.1 ppm. Even if the search by HR2 was performed with 8 threads in a high-spec Windows 7 PC, the database search times were at least 26 and 115 times shorter without and with the SSD. These improvements were enhanced in a low spec Windows XP PC. We constructed a web service ‘MFSearcher’ to query the database in a RESTful manner.
Availability and implementation: Available for free at http://webs2.kazusa.or.jp/mfsearcher. The web service is implemented in Java, MySQL, Apache and Tomcat, with all major browsers supported.
Contact: sakurai@kazusa.or.jp
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Smoking cessation in pregnant women with mental disorders: a cohort and nested qualitative study
Authors: Howard LM , Bekele D , Rowe M , Demilew J , Bewley S , Marteau TM 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate whether 1) pregnant smokers with mental disorders are less likely to accept referrals to smoking cessation services compared with pregnant smokers without disorders; 2) they experience specific barriers to smoking cessation.DesignCohort study supplemented by cross‐sectional survey and nested qualitative study.SettingThree maternity services, London, UK.PopulationPregnant smokers with and without mental disorders.MethodsCase notes were examined on a cohort of 400 consecutive pregnant smokers; data were triangulated with routinely collected data on 845 pregnant smokers at two other sites; 27 pregnant smokers were interviewed using qualitative methods.Main outcome measuresAcceptance of referral to smoking cessation services; perceived barriers to quitting.ResultsPregnant smokers with a mental disorder recorded by midwives were one‐quarter of the cohort (97, 23%), were more likely to accept referral to smoking cessation services (69% versus 56%, adjusted odds ratio 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.03–2.79), but more likely to still smoke at delivery (69% versus 56%, adjusted odds ratio 2.63, 95% confidence interval 1.41–4.92). Discussion about smoking was documented in 7.7% of subsequent antenatal visits in women with or without mental disorders. Pregnant smokers with diagnosed mental disorders reported that they and health practitioners did not prioritise smoking advice because of concern about adversely impacting mental health.ConclusionsPregnant women with mental disorders appear more motivated, yet find it more difficult, to stop smoking. Prioritisation of mental health over smoking may therefore lead to increasing health inequality for this group. Research into effective smoking cessation interventions is required for those with mental disorders.
NMDA receptors in the midbrain play a critical role in dopamine‐mediated hippocampal synaptic potentiation caused by morphine
Authors: Hu Ling , Jing Xiang‐Hong , Cui Cai‐Lian , Xing Guo‐Gang , Zhu Bing 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA single exposure to drugs of abuse produces an NMDAR (N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor)‐dependent synaptic potentiation at excitatory synapses of dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain. All addictive drugs can increase DA concentrations in projection areas of the midbrain, including the hippocampus. Hippocampal DA release subsequently modulates hippocampal plasticity and drug‐associated memories. Using in vivo electrophysiological recording techniques in anesthetized rats, we show that systemic injection of morphine induced hippocampal synaptic potentiation in a dose‐dependent manner. Intra‐VTA but not intra‐hippocampus injection of morphine evoked this potentiation. Local hippocampal dopamine D1 receptors (D1R) are required in the morphine‐induced synaptic potentiation and conditioned place preference (CPP). Moreover, both NMDAR activation in the VTA and VTA/hippocampus dopaminergic connections are essential for the morphine‐evoked potentiation and CPP. These findings suggest that NMDAR signalings in the midbrain play a key role in regulating dopamine‐mediated hippocampal synaptic plasticity underlying drug‐induced associative memory.
Attention in Williams syndrome and Down's syndrome: Performance on the new early childhood attention battery
Authors: Breckenridge Kate , Braddick Oliver , Anker Shirley , Woodhouse Margaret , Atkinson Janette 
Published: November 2012

Attentional problems are commonly reported as a feature of the behavioural profile in both Williams syndrome (WS) and Down's syndrome (DS). Recent studies have begun to investigate these impairments empirically, acknowledging the need for an approach that considers cross‐syndrome comparisons and developmental changes across the different component functions of attention. The present study assessed children with WS and DS using a new preschool attention battery (ECAB: early childhood attention battery), designed to be suitable for mental age 3–6 years including groups with developmental disorders. The ECAB has the advantage of giving an individual profile of attentional abilities for each child, covering different components of attention. In relation to test norms for their mental age, both groups showed a profile of strengths and weaknesses in the attention domain. Both syndrome groups performed relatively well on tests of sustained attention and poorly on aspects of selective attention and attentional control (executive function). The DS group showed a specific strength in auditory sustained attention, whilst the WS group showed a particular deficit in visuo‐spatial response control. There was also evidence for considerable differences in the developmental trajectory of these abilities across the two groups. The results provide evidence for syndrome‐specific patterns of impairment, and distinct profiles of strengths and weaknesses that may be useful in understanding the nature of everyday attention difficulties in these groups and tailoring interventions to meet these needs.
Mapping the Structure of Semantic Memory
Authors: Morais Ana Sofia , Olsson Henrik , Schooler Lael J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAggregating snippets from the semantic memories of many individuals may not yield a good map of an individual’s semantic memory. The authors analyze the structure of semantic networks that they sampled from individuals through a new snowball sampling paradigm during approximately 6 weeks of 1‐hr daily sessions. The semantic networks of individuals have a small‐world structure with short distances between words and high clustering. The distribution of links follows a power law truncated by an exponential cutoff, meaning that most words are poorly connected and a minority of words has a high, although bounded, number of connections. Existing aggregate networks mirror the individual link distributions, and so they are not scale‐free, as has been previously assumed; still, there are properties of individual structure that the aggregate networks do not reflect. A simulation of the new sampling process suggests that it can uncover the true structure of an individual’s semantic memory.
Absence of Within‐Colony Kin Discrimination in a Multiple‐Queen Ant, Leptothorax acervorum
Authors: Friend Lucy A. , Bourke Andrew F. G. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractInclusive fitness theory predicts that, other things equal, individuals within social groups should direct altruistic behaviour towards their most highly related group‐mates to maximise indirect fitness benefits. In the social insects, most previous studies have shown that within‐colony kin discrimination (nepotism) is absent or weak. However, the number of studies that have investigated within‐colony kin discrimination at the level of individual behaviour remains relatively small. We tested for within‐colony kin discrimination in the facultatively multiple‐queen (polygynous) ant, Leptothorax acervorum. Specifically, we tested whether workers within polygynous colonies treated queens differently as a function of their relatedness to them. Colonies containing two egg‐laying queens were filmed to measure the rate at which individually marked workers antennated and groomed or fed each queen. Relatedness between individual queens and workers was calculated from their genotypes at four microsatellite loci. The results showed there were no differences in the rates at which workers antennated or groomed/fed their more related queen and their less related queen. Workers interacted preferentially with their potential mother queen with respect to grooming/feeding but not with respect to antennation. However, because of high queen turnover, the frequency of adult workers with their potential mother queen still present within the colony was relatively low. Overall, therefore, we found no evidence for within‐colony kin discrimination in the context of the average worker's treatment of queens in polygynous L. acervorum colonies.
Genomic distribution of the small multidrug resistance protein EmrE over 29 Escherichia coli strains reveals two forms of the protein
Authors: Kolbusz Magdalena A. , Slotboom Dirk J. , Lolkema Juke S. 
Published: November 2012

Analysis of the genomes of 29 Escherichia coli strains revealed two different versions of the EmrE protein, a member of the small multidrug resistance family. The versions are different in length and contain 110 residues (EMRE110) and 165 residues (EMRE165). The N‐terminal extension found in the longer sequence has the properties of a signal sequence, i.e. contains at the extreme N‐terminus a hydrophobic region followed by a predicted cleavage site. Analysis of the genetic context of the genes in the different strains showed that all of the genes encoding EMRE165 had the same context, whereas the genes encoding EMRE110 were distributed over four different, but similar, contexts. The different genetic contexts corresponded to the branching of the phylogenetic tree of the emrE genes. Membrane topology studies using translational fusions with the two reporter proteins alkaline phosphatase and green fluorescent protein showed the well‐described dual topology mode of insertion of EMRE110. In contrast, but in line with the presence of the signal sequence, EMRE165 was inserted in a single orientation into the membrane, with the C‐terminus in the periplasm. The N‐terminal region was removed from the protein after insertion into the membrane. In contrast to cells expressing EMRE110, cells expressing only mature EMRE165 were not able to grow on plates containing ethidium bromide. The reults suggest that if dimers were formed from EMRE165 monomers with the same orientation in the membrane, they would not be active in drug extrusion.
Salmonids and flows: a perspective on the state of the science and its application
Authors: MILNER N. J. , COWX I. G. , WHELAN K. F. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWater flow, volume discharge per unit time, is a master variable influencing much of the river environment and having profound effects on most of the biota, either directly or indirectly. Nevertheless, after decades of research and much accumulated knowledge, there remains much uncertainty about how to set environmental standards for flows that protect ecosystem components, including salmonids. This paper provides an overview of the findings of a conference on Flows and Salmonids. The aim of the conference and the papers that form this special issue is to update this information for salmonids, from which four key points are distilled that might influence future direction. (1) Fish responses to flow are very variable and flow effects are highly confounded with other related variables, which are often the proximate factors and need to be taken into account. (2) Meta‐analysis of previous studies has yet to be achieved because a hydromorphological template against which to gather and display such data has not yet been satisfactorily defined. (3) Some deviation from natural conditions may not necessarily be as detrimental for salmonids as sometimes stated. (4) Local investigations of flow impacts and solutions based on local conditions, and bringing in diverse disciplines and stakeholders, appear to offer the most pragmatic and effective approach to defining and implementing protective flows. Adaptive management offers a route for such collaborative studies, and its use is strongly encouraged.
Flow requirements of non‐salmonids
Authors: COWX I. G. , NOBLE R. A. , NUNN A. D. , BOLLAND J. , WALTON S. , PEIRSON G. , HARVEY J. P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractResearch into the relationships between non‐salmonid fish population dynamics and discharge is in its infancy compared with salmonids, thus compromising the ability to manage flows in rivers and maintain ecological status. This study reviews the potential role of ‘natural’ hydrographical variability on fish life‐history characteristics and develops a fish typology based on flow preference and conservation importance criteria that can be used to underpin the needs of hydrological management to support these fish community types. It highlights important characteristics of the natural flow regime that need to be maintained to ensure sustainability of populations of these species and offers a mechanism to categorise the fish community types, thus allowing generic management scenarios to be developed rather than complex single‐species scenarios that are impractical.
Modern maize hybrids in Northeast China exhibit increased yield potential and resource use efficiency despite adverse climate change
Authors: Chen Xiaochao , Chen Fanjun , Chen Yanling , Gao Qiang , Yang Xiaoli , Yuan Lixing , Zhang Fusuo , Mi Guohua 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe impact of global changes on food security is of serious concern. Breeding novel crop cultivars adaptable to climate change is one potential solution, but this approach requires an understanding of complex adaptive traits for climate‐change conditions. In this study, plant growth, nitrogen (N) uptake, and yield in relation to climatic resource use efficiency of nine representative maize cultivars released between 1973 and 2000 in China were investigated in a 2‐year field experiment under three N applications. The Hybrid‐Maize model was used to simulate maize yield potential in the period from 1973 to 2011. During the past four decades, the total thermal time (growing degree days) increased whereas the total precipitation and sunshine hours decreased. This climate change led to a reduction of maize potential yield by an average of 12.9% across different hybrids. However, the potential yield of individual hybrids increased by 118.5 kg ha−1 yr−1 with increasing year of release. From 1973 to 2000, the use efficiency of sunshine hours, thermal time, and precipitation resources increased by 37%, 40%, and 41%, respectively. The late developed hybrids showed less reduction in yield potential in current climate conditions than old cultivars, indicating some adaptation to new conditions. Since the mid‐1990s, however, the yield impact of climate change exhibited little change, and even a slight worsening for new cultivars. Modern breeding increased ear fertility and grain‐filling rate, and delayed leaf senescence without modification in net photosynthetic rate. The trade‐off associated with delayed leaf senescence was decreased grain N concentration rather than increased plant N uptake, therefore N agronomic efficiency increased simultaneously. It is concluded that modern maize hybrids tolerate the climatic changes mainly by constitutively optimizing plant productivity. Maize breeding programs in the future should pay more attention to cope with the limiting climate factors specifically.
Morphological diversity of setae on the second maxilliped of fiddler crabs (Decapoda: Ocypodidae) from the southwestern Atlantic coast
Authors: Colpo Karine Delevati , Negreiros‐Fransozo Maria Lucia 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFiddler crabs are deposit feeders, and use the setae on their mouth appendages to manipulate sediment particles to extract food. The number of spoon‐tipped setae on the second maxilliped is frequently related to the distribution of fiddler crabs on estuarine sediments, but no study has compared the morphological diversity of these setae among multiple fiddler crab species. Here, we describe and classify the setae of the second maxillipeds of the nine Uca spp. known from the Brazilian coast. The second maxilliped of each species was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Six types of setae (five papposerrate, and one pappose) were described on the meropodite of the second maxilliped. Among the papposerrate setae, one type had a spoon‐like tip, and the morphology of this type, especially the degree of curvature, differed between species. Members of Uca leptodactylus, U. uruguayensis, and U. maracoani had highly concave spoon‐tipped setae. In U. rapax and U. cumulanta, the setal tip was moderately curved, while in U. thayeri, U. burgersi, and U. mordax, this curvature was slight. At the other extreme, the meropodite of the second maxilliped of U. vocator lacked setae altogether. This is the first study that describes differences in the degree of curvature of spoon‐tipped setae in fiddler crabs. This trait may be strongly related to the distribution of these fiddler crabs on different estuarine substrates.