bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In‐situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy of trimethyl aluminum and water half‐cycle treatments on HF‐treated and O3‐oxidized GaN substrates
Authors: Sivasubramani Prasanna , Park Tae Joo , Coss Brian E. , Lucero Antonio , Huang Jie , Brennan Barry , Cao Yu , Jena Debdeep , Xing Huili (Grace) , Wallace Robert M. , Kim Jiyoung 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe have investigated the effect of trimethyl aluminum (TMA) and water (H2O) half‐cycle treatments on HF‐treated, and O3‐oxidized GaN surfaces at 300 °C. The in‐situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate no significant re‐growth of Ga–O–N or self‐cleaning on HF‐treated and O3‐oxidized GaN substrates with exposure to water and TMA. This result is different from the self‐cleaning effect of Ga2O3 seen on sulfur‐treated GaAs or InGaAs substrates. O3 causes aggressive oxidation of GaN substrate and direct O–N bonding compared to H2O. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Giant dielectric constant observed in Ba0.96Sr0.04Zrx Y0.005Ti0.995–xO3–δ ceramics
Authors: Zhang X. S. , Zhang L. , Chen X. Y. , Li J. , Li Z. F. , Yu P. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBa0.96Sr0.04Zrx Y0.005Ti0.995–xO3–δ ceramics were prepared by conventional sintering. The dielectric properties and the Curie temperature of the ceramics were studied. The Ba0.96Sr0.04Zrx Y0.005Ti0.995–xO3–δ ceramics (x = 0.04) exhibit a giant dielectric constant (εr ∼ 105). The peak value of dielectric constant is ∼250,000 at 100 Hz and ∼70,000 at 1 MHz for Ba0.96Sr0.04Zrx Y0.005Ti0.995–xO3–δ ceramics (x = 0.04). The results show that Ba0.96Sr0.04Zrx Y0.005Ti0.995–xO3–δ (x = 0.04) ceramics are a promising candidate material for microelectronic applications. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Critical charges of simple coulomb molecular systems: One‐two electron case
Authors: Turbiner A. V. , Medel Cobaxin H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe consider some Coulomb systems with several infinitely massive centers of charge Z and one or two electrons: (Z,e), (2Z,e), (3Z,e), (4Z,e), (2Z,e,e), and (3Z,e,e). It is shown that the physical, integer charges Z = 1,2,… do not play a distinguished role for the total energy and for the equilibrium configuration of a system, giving no indication of a charge quantization. By definition, a critical charge Zcr for a given Coulomb system (nZ,e) or (nZ,e,e) is a charge which separates the domain of the existence of bound states from the domain of unbound states (the domain of stability), the continuum (the domain of instability). For all the above‐mentioned systems critical charges Zcr as well as equilibrium geometrical configurations are found. Furthermore, an indication to a branch point singularity at Z = Zcr with exponent 3/2 was obtained. It is demonstrated that in the domain of the existence the optimal geometrical configuration for both (nZ,e) at n = 2,3,4 and (nZ,e,e) at n = 2,3 corresponds to the Platonic body. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Determinants of Climate Change Disclosure by Developed and Emerging Countries in Asia Pacific
Authors: Amran Azlan , Periasamy Vinod , Zulkafli Abdul Hadi 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThis research aims to examine some of the generic determinants of company attributes and corporate governance variables and whether there is any relationship to the reporting of climate change strategy. For that purpose, this study investigated firms in 10 industries, across 13 countries. This study is based on climate change disclosures made in the sustainability and annual reports by firms domiciled in developed and emerging countries in Asia Pacific. The study uses content analysis to construct weighted and unweighted disclosure indices. Based on the extant literature, several variables, namely, firm size, industrial membership, country of domicile, environment certification, board size, independent non‐executives, the CEO duality structure and gender were selected and their influence on the level of climate change disclosure was tested empirically. As for agency theory, this study offers both confirmatory and contradictory results regarding board independence. The results reveal that in spite of the fact that the level of climate change disclosure in some emerging countries in Asia Pacific is still low, by increasing the proportion of independent non‐executives on the board of directors, encouragement of firms' practice to separate the CEO‐board chair role, and firm practices in obtaining and maintaining environment certification would directly increase the climate change disclosure in their sustainability reports. Furthermore, firms that demonstrate a lack of gender diversity on the board would increase the climate change reporting system practices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Involvement of the cGMP pathway in the osthole‐facilitated glutamate release in rat hippocampal nerve endings
Authors: Lin Tzu yu , Lu Cheng Wei , Huang Wei‐jan , Wang Su‐jane 
Published: November 2011

AbstractOsthole, an active constituent isolated from Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson, has previously been shown to have the capacity to increase depolarization‐evoked glutamate release in rat hippocampal nerve terminals. As cGMP‐dependent signaling cascade has been found to modulate glutamate release at the presynaptic level, the aim of this study was to further examine the role of cGMP signaling pathway in the regulation of osthole on glutamate release in hippocampal synaptosomes. Results showed that osthole dose‐dependently increased intrasynaptosomal cGMP levels. The elevation of cGMP levels by osthole was prevented by the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil but was insensitive to the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ. In addition, osthole‐induced facilitation of 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP)‐evoked glutamate release was completely prevented by the cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitors, KT5823, and Rp‐8‐Br‐PET‐cGMPS. Direct activation of PKG with 8‐Br‐cGMP or 8‐pCPT‐cGMP also occluded the osthole‐mediated facilitation of 4‐AP‐evoked glutamate release. Furthermore, sildenafil exhibited a dose‐dependent facilitation of 4‐AP‐evoked release of glutamate and occluded the effect of osthole on the 4‐AP‐evoked glutamate release. Collectively, our findings suggest that osthole‐mediated facilitation of glutamate release involves the activation of cGMP/PKG‐dependent pathway. Synapse, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A formal approach to adaptive software: continuous assurance of non-functional requirements
Authors: Filieri Antonio , Ghezzi Carlo , Tamburrelli Giordano 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Modern software systems are increasingly requested to be adaptive to changes in the environment in which they are embedded. Moreover, adaptation often needs to be performed automatically, through self-managed reactions enacted by the application at run time. Off-line, human-driven changes should be requested only if self-adaptation cannot be achieved successfully. To support this kind of autonomic behavior, software systems must be empowered by a rich run-time support that can monitor the relevant phenomena of the surrounding environment to detect changes, analyze the data collected to understand the possible consequences of changes, reason about the ability of the application to continue to provide the required service, and finally react if an adaptation is needed. This paper focuses on non-functional requirements, which constitute an essential component of the quality that modern software systems need to exhibit. Although the proposed approach is quite general, it is mainly exemplified in the paper in the context of service-oriented systems, where the quality of service (QoS) is regulated by contractual obligations between the application provider and its clients. We analyze the case where an application, exported as a service, is built as a composition of other services. Non-functional requirements—such as reliability and performance—heavily depend on the environment in which the application is embedded. Thus changes in the environment may ultimately adversely affect QoS satisfaction. We illustrate an approach and support tools that enable a holistic view of the design and run-time management of adaptive software systems. The approach is based on formal (probabilistic) models that are used at design time to reason about dependability of the application in quantitative terms. Models continue to exist at run time to enable continuous verification and detection of changes that require adaptation.
Indigenous ecological knowledge and natural resource management in the cultural landscape of China's Hani Terraces
Authors: Jiao Yuanmei , Li Xiuzhen , Liang Luohui , Takeuchi Kazuhiko , Okuro Toshiya , Zhang Dandan , Sun Lifang 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIndigenous ecological knowledge (IEK) can contribute to the management of local ecosystems and landscapes. Cultural landscapes are produced by and reflect the long‐term interactions between humans and nature in indigenous societies. Yunnan Province, located in southwestern China, is the homeland of many ethnic groups, and is also a refuge for numerous species of wild plants and animals. Indigenous people in Yunnan, who have rich ecological knowledge, play an important role in the conservation of local biodiversity and the region's unique terraced agricultural landscapes. We used the Hani people and their outstanding cultural landscape of rice terraces in Yuanyang County of Yunnan Province as a case study to describe their worldview and discuss their formation of IEK; their roles in the preservation of rice landraces and in pest regulation; their management of water, forest, and soil resources; and the vertical landscape pattern and resource‐circulation system that has evolved in the areas managed by the Hani. We also discuss the challenges and threats facing the Hani, their IEK, and their cultural landscape, as well as discuss the potential for integration of the Hani's IEK with modern conservation efforts.
Termination and Recurrence of Civil War: Which Outcomes Lead to Durable Peace after Civil War?
Authors: OHMURA HIROTAKA 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis article attempts to answer why some countries experience the recurrence of civil war and others do not. One of the most significant differences between civil war onset and its recurrence is thatthe latter has once experienced termination of civil war,while the former has not. To find the cause of recurrence, this article examines how different war termination types influence the duration of post-civil war peace. Duration analysis of the civil wars between 1944 and 1999 shows that military victory, supported by peacekeeping operations or power-sharing arrangements, leads to the most durable peace in a post-civil war country. Contrary to the accepted wisdom, negotiated peace settlement, even when supported by peacekeeping operations or power-sharing arrangements, is not positively related to post-conflict peace.
The probability of winning break points in Grand Slam men's singles tennis
Authors: Knight Gareth , O'Donoghue Peter 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe probability of winning games of tennis has been modelled in terms of the probability of the server winning an individual point. These models are based on the assumptions of stationarity of the point and interdependence. Stationarity is the assumption that the outcome of tennis points is not influenced by the game score at the beginning of the point. The purpose of the current investigation was to compare the outcomes of tennis points during break points and non‐break points using data from 528 men's singles tennis matches from all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2008 and 2009. The retrospective probability of the receiver winning a point was 0.42 ± 0.23 during break points which was significantly greater than the 0.38 ± 0.10 during non‐break points (P < 0.001). This, in turn, led to players creating significantly more break points than expected (P < 0.001) and breaking serve more frequently than expected (P < 0.001) for the points won when receiving serve. This is evidence that stationarity cannot be assumed and that models of winning tennis games may need to be enhanced to address improved receiver performance during break points.
Comparison of EMG activity during stable and unstable push‐up protocols
Authors: Anderson Gregory S. , Gaetz Michael , Holzmann Matt , Twist Peter 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis experiment examined muscle activation measured using electromyography (EMG) during a standardized push‐up performed on stable and unstable surfaces. Fifteen highly trained participants performed four push‐ups: standard (hands and feet on the floor), either the hands or feet on an unstable surface (single instability), and with both hands and feet on unstable surfaces (dual instability). Unstable surfaces were created using a stability ball and an extreme balance board. EMG activity was recorded from three core stabilizers (erector spinae, rectus abdominus and internal obliques), one prime mover (triceps), and one lower body stabilizer (soleus). The EMG time series were smoothed using a 10‐point moving average and root mean squares (RMS) were calculated for the entire time series. The results showed that push‐ups performed with dual instability had significantly greater EMG activation compared to single instability or the stable push‐up. In addition, as instability increased, there was a greater amount of muscle activation for the core stabilizers, prime movers and lower body stabilizers. The findings are consistent with the position that unstable surfaces in conjunction with standard exercises can be used to increase activation of core trunk stabilizers. This may in turn provide increased trunk strength and greater resistance to injury.
Evaluation of Waxy Grain Sorghum for Ethanol Production
Authors: Yan Shuping , Wu Xiaorong , Bean Scott R. , Pedersen Jeffery F. , Tesso Tesfaye , Chen Yuanhong R. , Wang Donghai 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe objective of this research was to investigate the fermentation performance of waxy grain sorghum for ethanol production. Twenty‐five waxy grain sorghum varieties were evaluated with a laboratory dry‐grind procedure. Total starch and amylose contents were measured following colorimetric procedures. Total starch and amylose contents ranged from 65.4 to 76.3% and from 5.5 to 7.3%, respectively. Fermentation efficiencies were in the range of 86.0–92.2%, corresponding to ethanol yields of 2.61–3.03 gallons/bushel. The advantages of using waxy sorghums for ethanol production include easier gelatinization and low viscosity during liquefaction, higher starch and protein digestibility, higher free amino nitrogen (FAN) content, and shorter fermentation times. The results showed a strong linear relationship between FAN content and fermentation rate. Fermentation rate increased as FAN content increased, especially during the first 30 hr of fermentation (R2 = 0.90). Total starch content in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was less than 1% for all waxy varieties.
First Report of Stem Bleeding in Coconut Caused by Ceratocystis paradoxa in Hainan, China
Authors: Yu F.-Y. , Niu X.-Q. , Tang Q.-H. , Zhu H. , Song W.-W. , Qin W.-Q. , Lin C.-H. 
Published: November 2011

Stem bleeding of coconut was discovered in 2009 in Hainan, China. Affected trunk areas exhibited dark discoloration and a reddish brown or rust-colored liquid bleeding from different points. Stem tissues under the lesions rotted and became brownish yellow to black. Affected plants died within 3 to 4 months after stem symptoms first appeared. Stem bleeding of coconut is known to occur in production areas worldwide. The disease was first reported in Sri Lanka (1), caused severe damage to PB-121 hybrids in Indonesia (2), and is now known to occur in many other coconut-producing countries. However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of the disease in China. A fungus was isolated from lesion margins of diseased coconut trees. Colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) were white, became black 1 to 2 days later, and emitted a strong, fruity aroma. The fungus produced conidia, which were cylindrical, colorless to pale brown, and 6.9 to 14.9 × 3.1 to 6.0 μm, and oval, black chlamydospores that were 7.9 to 19.4 × 4.6 to 11.0 μm. The optimum temperature for mycelial growth ranged from 25 to 35°C and it did not grow at temperatures lower than 5°C or higher than 40°C. On the basis of these characteristics, the fungus was identified as Ceratocystis paradoxa (Dade) C. Moreau (anamorph Thielaviopsis paradoxa (de Seynes) Höhn). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified from genomic DNA with primers ITS1 and ITS4 and the PCR products were sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JQ039332). BLAST analysis showed 99% sequence similarity with C. paradoxa (GenBank Accession No. HQ248205.1). Pathogenicity of the fungus was tested by inoculating 10, 3-year-old coconut trees of the cv. green tall at the 12-leaf stage in the field. Agar plugs (5 mm in diameter) from the periphery of 7-day-old C. paradoxa colonies grown on PDA were placed on healthy trunks, rachis, and leaves, which were either wounded or unwounded. Wounds were made with a sterilized cork borer. Sites of the inoculations were wrapped with plastic tape to prevent desiccation; the experiment was repeated three times. Controls received plain PDA discs. Two weeks after inoculation, characteristic rusty brown lesions appeared only on wounded plants that were inoculated with the fungus. A brownish liquid oozed from the points of inoculation. Controls did not show signs of disease development. C. paradoxa was reisolated from the diseased tissues. Infection occurred on wounded sites only, suggesting that wounds may be required for infection. To prevent stem bleeding of coconut trees by C. paradoxa, vigilant cultural practices must be maintained to avoid causing wounds on the trees. References: (1) S. A. Alfieri. Plant Pathol. Circular No. 53. Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry, 1967. (2) D. R. N. Warwick and E. E. M. Passos. Trop. Plant Pathol. 34:175, 2009.
Arabidopsisα Aurora Kinases Function in Formative Cell Division Plane Orientation
Authors: Van Damme Daniël , De Rybel Bert , Gudesblat Gustavo , Demidov Dmitri , Grunewald Wim , De Smet Ive , Houben Andreas , Beeckman Tom , Russinova Eugenia 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTo establish three-dimensional structures/organs, plant cells continuously have to adapt the orientation of their division plane in a highly regulated manner. However, mechanisms underlying switches in division plane orientation remain elusive. Here, we characterize a viable double knockdown mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana group α Aurora (AUR) kinases, AUR1 and AUR2, (aur1-2 aur2-2), with a primary defect in lateral root formation and outgrowth. Mutant analysis revealed that aur1-2 aur2-2 lateral root primordia are built from randomly oriented cell divisions instead of distinct cell layers. This phenotype could be traced back to cytokinesis defects and misoriented cell plates during the initial anticlinal pericycle cell divisions that give rise to lateral root primordia. Complementation assays showed that the Arabidopsis α group Aurora kinases are functionally divergent from the single β group member AUR3 and that AUR1 functions in division plane orientation prior to cytokinesis. In addition to defective lateral root patterning, aur1-2 aur2-2 plants also show defects in orienting formative divisions during embryogenesis, divisions surrounding the main root stem cell niche, and divisions surrounding stomata formation. Taken together, our results put forward a central role for α Aurora kinases in regulating formative division plane orientation throughout development.
Changes in submersed aquatic vegetation affect predation risk of a common prey fish Lucania parva (Cyprinodontiformes: Fundulidae) in a spring‐fed coastal river
Authors: CAMP E. V. , GWINN D. C. , PINE III W. E. , FRAZER T. K. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract  Predation risk can impact population dynamics and ecosystem structure. Changes in key habitats, such as shifts between types of submersed aquatic vegetation, may affect predation risks experienced by certain organisms that use vegetation as a predation refuge. Relative predation risks experienced by Lucania parva (Baird & Girard) were assessed among three habitats in a Florida coastal stream using tethering experiments. Relative predation risks were highest in bare substrate, intermediate in a rooted macrophyte, Vallisneria americana Michx, and lowest in filamentous macroalgae. These results suggest that L. parva predation risk may decline following shifts from macrophytes to filamentous macroalgae, potentially leading to increased L. parva population size. These findings counter a widely held perception that such habitat shifts yield exclusively negative faunal effects, and are useful for assessing implications of habitat change and guiding restoration activities.
Symptom burden and quality of life in patients with malignant fungating wounds
Authors: Lo Shu‐Fen , Hayter Mark , Hu Wen‐Yu , Tai Chiao‐Yun , Hsu Mei‐Yu , Li Yu‐Fen 
Published: November 2011

lo s.‐f., hayter m., hu w.‐y., tai c.‐y., hsu m.‐y. & li y.‐f. (2012) Symptom burden and quality of life in patients with malignant fungating wounds. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1312–1321.AbstractAim.  This study describes the relationship between symptoms and quality of life in patients with malignant fungating wounds.Background.  Malignant fungating wounds are complex wounds that can bleed, become malodorous due to infection and are painful causing physical and psychological distress. However, there is a lack of literature on the impact that such wounds can have on quality of life.Methods.  This was a descriptive, cross‐sectional multi‐centre study of patients with malignant fungating wounds. Participants were recruited from the palliative care, hospice, outpatient clinic and oncology units of three medical centres in Taiwan. Data were collected from February 2008 to August 2009. A structured questionnaire obtained socio‐demographic information, medical details, wound assessment information and the Taiwanese version of the McGill quality of life questionnaire was administered by interview.Results.  McGill quality of life scores indicated that the participants had the lowest quality of life. The participant’s age, dressing change frequency, pain, wound dressing comfort, wound symptom, bleeding and malodour had statistically significant negative correlations with quality of life. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, malodour, pain issues and psychological issues explained 87% of the total variance in quality of life.Conclusion.  This study contributes to our understanding of the impact of malignant fungating wounds and how correct assessment and management is necessary to improve quality of life. Educational intervention research is needed for patients and caregivers in countries where this has not yet been performed. Further research should also identify whether nursing competence has a direct impact on quality of life.