bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive investigation of silicon surface passivation by a ‐Si:H and a ‐SiNx:H films
Authors: Laades Abdelazize , Blech Michael , Bähr Mario , Lauer Kevin , Lawerenz Alexander 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWe studied the passivation properties and microstructure of a ‐Si:H and a ‐SiNx:H films deposited by PECVD on p‐type and n‐type CZ silicon wafers for solar cells with planar and texturized surfaces. Focusing on the comparison between radio frequency (13.56 MHz) and microwave (2.45 GHz) excited plasma deposition, a systematic variation of the precursor gas flow ratio [NH3]/[SiH4] from the range suitable for the antireflection coating of solar cells (refractive index ∼ 2) up to a ‐Si:H, followed by a variation of the deposition as well as post‐deposition temperature between 150 and 400 °C was carried out. For all wafers and wafer surface structures, very low effective surface recombination velocities were achieved in the stoichiometry transition range between a ‐SiNx:H and a ‐Si:H. Additional improvement of the surface passivation by a ‐Si:H was achieved by post‐deposition annealing in N2 ambient. A correlation of this behavior to the microstructure of the passivation films is discussed for both plasma modes using measurements of the atomic bond densities and hydrogen content by means of the Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrically active centers introduced in p‐type Si by rapid thermal processing
Authors: Tang C. K. , Lund E. , Monakhov E. V. , Mayandi J. , Holt A. , Svensson B. G. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractElectrically active defects introduced in boron‐doped silicon by rapid thermal annealing were studied using deep level transient spectroscopy. Thermal treatment at 1000 °C for 2 minutes induced two hole traps with energy levels at 0.3 eV and 0.4 eV above the valence band edge and concentration between 5 × 1012 and 5 × 1013cm–3. Both defects exhibit Poole‐Frenkel effect and show thermal stability up to 650 °C. Depth profiling reveals that these defects extend more than 3 m into the bulk and decrease in concentration towards the surface. The origin and formation kinetics of these centers will be discussed and compared with theoretical predictions in the literature. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analysis of Largest Sulfide Inclusions in Low Carbon Steel by Using Statistics of Extreme Values
Authors: Kanbe Yuichi , Karasev Andrey , Todoroki Hidekazu , Jönsson Pär G. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe statistics of extreme values was applied for the determination of the largest sulfide inclusions with different morphology in low carbon steel samples by using both two‐dimensional (2D) observations on the polished cross section and three‐dimensional (3D) observations on a surface of a film filter after electrolytic extraction of the samples. It was found that the globular, rod‐like and dendritic sulfides in the molten steel sample as well as the elongated sulfides in the rolled steel sample can be successfully extracted from the both samples, and analyzed precisely by using extreme value analysis in 3D. Based on the geometrical considerations of the probability for measurement of the true length of rod‐like and elongated inclusions on a cross section, it was found that this probability for inclusions decreases dramatically with an increasing real aspect ratio value of them. Particularly for the determination of the true length for elongated inclusions in the rolled steel sample by 2D investigations on a metal cross section, it is required to be cut investigating section of steel sample within ± 1 degree against rolling direction. Therefore, a 3D observation is considered to be more preferable and accurate than the conventional cross sectional observation in 2D, due to the possibility for the measurements of the real size of them.
Temperature Depending Influence of the Martensite Formation on the Mechanical Properties of High‐Alloyed Cr‐Mn‐Ni As‐Cast Steels
Authors: Jahn Andreas , Kovalev Alexander , Weiß Andreas , Wolf Steffen , Krüger Lutz , Scheller Piotr R. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe temperature dependence of the martensite formation and the mechanical properties of three high alloyed Cr‐Mn‐Ni as‐cast steels with varying Ni contents were studied. The results showed that the Ms and Md temperatures of the steels decrease with increasing nickel contents. Therefore the strain‐induced martensite formation, the TRIP effect and the temperature anomaly of the elongations occurs at lower temperatures. The steel alloyed with 3% nickel shows a stress induced formation of martensite and a dynamic strain aging. Depending on the nickel content and the temperature a TWIP effect occurs additionally to the TRIP effect in the investigated steels. The study was performed by using static tensile tests, dilatometer tests, optical microscopy and the magnetic scale for the detection of ferromagnetic phase fractions.
Strip Casting of a High‐Manganese Steel (FeMn22C0.6) Compared with a Process Chain Consisting of Ingot Casting and Hot Forming
Authors: Daamen M. , Wietbrock B. , Richter S. , Hirt G. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIn this paper, the capabilities of the thin strip (twin roller) casting method to produce high manganese steel strip are examined. For this purpose a FeMn22C0.6 strip has been cast both using a lab‐scale twin roll casting line and a more conventional process chain. The experiments show that the production of high manganese steel strip is feasible with both methods. Differences become apparent in the microstructure and chemical composition. While the strip which was produced by ingot casting and hot forming shows a homogenous grain distribution, the thin‐strip‐cast one shows a typical casting microstructure, consisting of dendritic and globulitic structures. In addition, the thin‐strip‐cast steel contains the accurate carbon content, while the hot forming route led to a loss of carbon, which influences the mechanical properties. The good potential of thin‐strip casting of high manganese steels, although it still has to be improved, is confirmed.
Factorial and discriminant analyses of environmental sensitivity and initiative of Nigerian firms
Authors: Ndubisi Nelson Oly 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe issue of environmental protection has been of interest to Africa just as it is to the rest of the world. Such rising interest in environmental protection has resulted in a number of environmentally friendly initiatives, such as landscaping, by firms in Nigeria. This article adopts the organizational buying behavior theory to study a comprehensive list of potential facilitators of landscaping adoption and to discriminate between organizational adopters and nonadopters in Nigeria. The data were factor‐analyzed to determine the key dimensions of facilitators. On the basis of the resulting dimensions, discriminant analysis was conducted. The results show that environmental factors, organizational factors, and managerial factors are important discriminants. The findings are salient in environmental management in Africa, and in designing strategies for landscaping services marketing and landscaping diffusion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The evolution of alliances in the global airline industry: A review of the African experience
Authors: Amankwah‐Amoah Joseph , Debrah Yaw A. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractIn an increasingly globalized world, alliances have proliferated in one industry after another, and the competitive game has shifted from firm versus firm to group versus group, leaving many firms operating on the margins of these constellations. Using the case of the global airline industry, this article examines how the shift from bilateral to multilateral alliances has left many African airlines operating on the margins of the global airline alliances groupings. We conjecture that a number of internal organizational factors, such as size and lack of access to scarce resources, and external factors, such as a slow market‐reform process and insufficient reform of state‐owned airlines, have hindered their success in a highly competitive environment. The theoretical, managerial, and policy implications of these findings are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A preliminary assessment of Middle East investments in sub‐Saharan Africa: Insights from the mobile telecom sector
Authors: Madichie Nnamdi O. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis exploratory article highlights developments in the African (defined to include sub‐Saharan Africa and North Africa) mobile telephony market. While observing the renewed pattern of foreign direct investment (FDI) from and to emerging markets in a value‐added sector (mobile telecoms), this article uses a series of questions to profile the opportunities and challenges of mobile telephony in Nigeria and, by extension, Africa. Considering the exploratory nature of this article, it only presents a broad overview of the African telecom landscape, drawing largely upon secondary data. Despite its descriptive nature, the article is intended to spur further, more in‐depth investigation into the FDI trends from and to emerging markets. Indeed, the recent appetite of Middle East telcos in Nigeria (and, by extension, Africa) provides an impetus for rethinking the subject of south‐south cooperation in international business. Researchers and policymakers may benefit from some of these insights in the development of their international business strategies. Overall, the article argues that in order to derive any medium‐ to long‐term opportunities in the African mobile telephony market, both existing and potential investors would need to ponder over a number of concerns and/or questions arising from this article—notably, what are the key drivers behind this growth? Who are the key players driving this pattern of investments? Why the renewed interest in Africa from Middle East telcos? How has the landscape changed in terms of innovation and value added? © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disparities in Injury Mortality Between Uganda and the United States: Comparative Analysis of a Neglected Disease
Authors: Jayaraman Sudha , Ozgediz Doruk , Miyamoto Justin , Caldwell Nolan , Lipnick Michael S. , Mijumbi Cephas , Mabweijano Jacqueline , Hsia Renee , Dicker Rochelle 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe burden of global injury‐related deaths predominantly affects developing countries, which have little infrastructure to evaluate these disparities. We describe injury‐related mortality patterns in Kampala, Uganda and compare them with data from the United States and San Francisco (SF), California.MethodsWe created a database in Kampala of deaths recorded by the City Mortuary, the Mulago Hospital Mortuary, and the Uganda Ministry of Health from July to December 2007. We analyzed the rate and odds ratios and compared them to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health.ResultsIn Kampala, 25% of all deaths were due to injuries (812/3303) versus 6% in SF and 7% in the United States. The odds of dying of injury in Kampala were 5.0 times higher than in SF and 4.2 times higher than in the United States. Age‐standardized death rates indicate a 93% greater risk of dying from injury in Kampala than in SF. The mean age was lower in Kampala than in SF (29 vs. 44 years). The adult injury death rate (rate ratio, or RR) was higher in Kampala than in SF (2.3) or the United States (1.5). Head/neck injury was reported in 65% of injury deaths in Kampala compared to 34% in SF [odds ratio (OR) 3.7] and 28% in the US (OR 4.8).ConclusionsUrban injury‐related mortality is significantly higher in Uganda than in the United States. Injury preferentially affects adults in the prime of their economically productive years. These findings serve as a call for stronger injury prevention and control policies in Uganda.
Mortality Associated with the Treatment of Gallstone Disease: A 10‐Year Contemporary National Experience
Authors: Scollay John M. , Mullen Russell , McPhillips Gillian , Thompson Alastair M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackgroundGallstones remain a common clinical problem requiring skilled operative and nonoperative management. The aim of the present population‐based study was to investigate causes of gallstone‐related mortality in Scotland.MethodsSurgical deaths were peer reviewed between 1997 and 2006 through the Scottish Audit of Surgical Mortality (SASM); data were analyzed for patients in whom the principal diagnosis on admission was gallstone disease.ResultsGallstone disease was responsible for 790/43,271 (1.83%) of the surgical deaths recorded, with an overall mortality for cholecystectomy of 0.307% (176/57,352), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) of 0.313% (117/37,345), and cholecystostomy of 2.1% (12/578) across the decade. However, the majority of patients who died were elderly (47.6% ≥80 years or older) and were managed conservatively. Deaths following cholecystectomy usually followed emergency admission (76%) and were more likely to have been associated with postoperative medical complications (n = 189) than surgical complications (n = 36).DiscussionAlthough cholecystectomy is a relatively safe procedure, patients who die as a result of gallstone disease tend to be elderly, to have been admitted as emergency cases, and to have had co‐morbidities. Future combined medical and surgical perioperative management may reduce the mortality rate associated with gallstones.
Membrane Separations in Food Processing
Authors: Dewettinck Koen , Trung Le Thien 
Published: December 2010

The continuous search for innovative food processing methods has led to numerous breakthroughs in membrane technology. This chapter covers the most basic concepts of membrane technology such as membrane materials, module configurations, and operation up to the most complex concepts involved in four pressure-driven membrane processes namely MF, UF, NF and RO.
One formidable obstacle toward wide acceptance of membrane technology is the problem on concentration polarization and membrane fouling. This chapter describes both and discusses their different mechanisms and the conditions which cause each mechanism. An extensive discussion on the state-of-the-art techniques to enhance membrane process performance is also presented. This includes optimization of operational conditions, pre-treatment of feeds, modification of membrane modules, flow manipulation and application of external body forces such as ultrasound and electric field. Different techniques and approaches in membrane cleaning are also discussed.
The chapter also details the technology's potential applications in the food industry such as in the processing of milk, beer, wine, juice, sugar, soy products, and other food products. It presents a comparison of the technological and economic advantages and disadvantages of membrane processes to that of traditional food processing methods. Some of its better known advantages are the production of food which has better technological and nutritional functionalities, efficient use of material and resources, and reduced negative impacts to the environment.
With the numerous developments and studies done and still being done on the system, one can only look forward for more widespread adaptation of membrane processes in the industry.
Ultrasonic Food Processing
Authors: Mason Timothy J. , Paniwnyk Larysa , Chemat Farid , Abert Vian Maryline 
Published: December 2010

Active research into the ultrasonic processing of food began about 30 years ago but it is clear that some work had been done before this e.g. in the 1920's it was suggested that ultrasound could provide an excellent method of mixing and emulsification. Since then applications of ultrasound in food technology have expanded and fall into two broad fields: one in which it is used to change the properties of food in some way (power ultrasound) and the other in which it is used as a measurement technique (diagnostic ultrasound). This article will deal exclusively with the former.
It is the mechanical effects of ultrasound that are of most use in food processing and techniques such as cutting and emulsification are now well established. However with the advances in instrumentation and a greater realisation of the potential for ultrasonic applications the breadth of uses has expanded. Commercial interest has been shown in freezing, because the properties of the thawed product are much improved; in sterilisation where ultrasound affords both reduced times and lower temperatures and in processes such as marination and extraction which rely on the liquid penetration into a material.
In these days, when minimal and green processing is a driver for food preparation, power ultrasound can provide useful possibilities for the food technologist. It has several positive aspects which can provide a range of applications in processing but perhaps most significantly it can provide concurrent combinations that include mixing with sterilization, controlled crystallisation with improved heat transfer and many more.
ASSIMILATOR: a new tool to inform selection of associated genetic variants for functional studies
Authors: Martin Paul , Barton Anne , Eyre Stephen 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Motivation: Fine-mapping experiments from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are underway for many complex diseases. These are likely to identify a number of putative causal variants, which cannot be separated further in terms of strength of genetic association due to linkage disequilibrium. The challenge will be selecting which variant to prioritize for subsequent expensive functional studies. A wealth of functional information generated from wet lab experiments now exists but cannot be easily interrogated by the user. Here, we describe a program designed to quickly assimilate this data called ASSIMILATOR and validate the method by interrogating two regions to show its effectiveness.
Availability: http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/musculoskeletal/research/arc/genetics/bioinformatics/assimilator/.
Contact: paul.martin-2@manchester.ac.uk
Self-Incompatibility in Papaver rhoeas Activates Nonspecific Cation Conductance Permeable to Ca2+ and K+
Authors: Wu Juyou , Wang Su , Gu Yuchun , Zhang Shaoling , Publicover Stephen J. , Franklin-Tong Vernonica E. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Cellular responses rely on signaling. In plant cells, cytosolic free calcium is a major second messenger, and ion channels play a key role in mediating physiological responses. Self-incompatibility (SI) is an important genetically controlled mechanism to prevent self-fertilization. It uses interaction of matching S-determinants from the pistil and pollen to allow “self” recognition, which triggers rejection of incompatible pollen. In Papaver rhoeas, the S-determinants are PrsS and PrpS. PrsS is a small novel cysteine-rich protein; PrpS is a small novel transmembrane protein. Interaction of PrsS with incompatible pollen stimulates S-specific increases in cytosolic free calcium and alterations in the actin cytoskeleton, resulting in programmed cell death in incompatible but not compatible pollen. Here, we have used whole-cell patch clamping of pollen protoplasts to show that PrsS stimulates SI-specific activation of pollen grain plasma membrane conductance in incompatible but not compatible pollen grain protoplasts. The SI-activated conductance does not require voltage activation, but it is voltage sensitive. It is permeable to divalent cations (Ba2+ ≥ Ca2+ &gt; Mg2+) and the monovalent ions K+ and NH4 + and is enhanced at voltages negative to −100 mV. The Ca2+ conductance is blocked by La3+ but not by verapamil; the K+ currents are tetraethylammonium chloride insensitive and do not require Ca2+. We propose that the SI-stimulated conductance may represent a nonspecific cation channel or possibly two conductances, permeable to monovalent and divalent cations. Our data provide insights into signal-response coupling involving a biologically important response. PrsS provides a rare example of a protein triggering alterations in ion channel activity.
Nucleocytoplasmic Distribution Is Required for Activation of Resistance by the Potato NB-LRR Receptor Rx1 and Is Balanced by Its Functional Domains
Authors: Slootweg Erik , Roosien Jan , Spiridon Laurentiu N. , Petrescu Andrei-Jose , Tameling Wladimir , Joosten Matthieu , Pomp Rikus , van Schaik Casper , Dees Robert , Borst Jan Willem , Smant Geert , Schots Arjen , Bakker Jaap , Goverse Aska 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
The Rx1 protein, as many resistance proteins of the nucleotide binding–leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR) class, is predicted to be cytoplasmic because it lacks discernable nuclear targeting signals. Here, we demonstrate that Rx1, which confers extreme resistance to Potato virus X, is located both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Manipulating the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of Rx1 or its elicitor revealed that Rx1 is activated in the cytoplasm and cannot be activated in the nucleus. The coiled coil (CC) domain was found to be required for accumulation of Rx1 in the nucleus, whereas the LRR domain promoted the localization in the cytoplasm. Analyses of structural subdomains of the CC domain revealed no autonomous signals responsible for active nuclear import. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and nuclear fractionation indicated that the CC domain binds transiently to large complexes in the nucleus. Disruption of the Rx1 resistance function and protein conformation by mutating the ATP binding phosphate binding loop in the NB domain, or by silencing the cochaperone SGT1, impaired the accumulation of Rx1 protein in the nucleus, while Rx1 versions lacking the LRR domain were not affected in this respect. Our results support a model in which interdomain interactions and folding states determine the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of Rx1.
Structure-Function Analyses of a Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase from Perennial Ryegrass Reveal the Molecular Basis for Substrate Preference
Authors: Louie Gordon V. , Bowman Marianne E. , Tu Yi , Mouradov Aidyn , Spangenberg German , Noel Joseph P. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Lignin forms from the polymerization of phenylpropanoid-derived building blocks (the monolignols), whose modification through hydroxylation and O-methylation modulates the chemical and physical properties of the lignin polymer. The enzyme caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) is central to lignin biosynthesis. It is often targeted in attempts to engineer the lignin composition of transgenic plants for improved forage digestibility, pulping efficiency, or utility in biofuel production. Despite intensive investigation, the structural determinants of the regiospecificity and substrate selectivity of COMT remain poorly defined. Reported here are x-ray crystallographic structures of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) COMT (Lp OMT1) in open conformational state, apo- and holoenzyme forms and, most significantly, in a closed conformational state complexed with the products S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine and sinapaldehyde. The product-bound complex reveals the post-methyl-transfer organization of COMT's catalytic groups with reactant molecules and the fully formed phenolic-ligand binding site. The core scaffold of the phenolic ligand forges a hydrogen-bonding network involving the 4-hydroxy group that anchors the aromatic ring and thereby permits only metahydroxyl groups to be positioned for transmethylation. While distal from the site of transmethylation, the propanoid tail substituent governs the kinetic preference of ryegrass COMT for aldehydes over alcohols and acids due to a single hydrogen bond donor for the C9 oxygenated moiety dictating the preference for an aldehyde.