bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of artificial boundary grain on the magneto- and electro-transport properties of (1 − x)La0.7Ca0.3MnO3+xA (A=Al2O3 and Ag) nanocomposite
Authors: Phong Pham Thanh , Nguyen Luu Huu , Manh Do Hung , Thanh Tran Dang , Khiem Nguyen Van , Hong Le Van , Phuc Nguyen Xuan 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The magneto- and electro-transport properties of two series of nanocrystalline (1−x)La
0.7
Ca
0.3
MnO
3+x
A (A: Al
2
O
3 and Ag) composites have been systematically and thoroughly studied. The observed electronic transport behavior over the whole temperature range (5–300 K), especially the change in metal–insulator transition temperature with increasing Al
2
O
3 and Ag content while the ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition remained unaffected, was explained by applying a two-component phenomenological model. We have attributed the unusual low-temperature resistivity upturn of composites to a change in charging energy. Most interestingly, magneto-transport measurements showed that the low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR), as well as the high-field magnetoresistance (HFMR), displayed a Curie–Weiss-like law behavior. Basing on the spin-polarized transport of conduction electrons at the grain boundaries, we have analyzed our experimental data and found that the temperature dependence of low- and high-field magnetoresistance is controlled predominantly by the nature of the temperature response of surface magnetization of particles. The competition between grain-boundary pinning strength (k), magnetic field and thermal energy (k

B

T) created the temperature sensitive behavior of magnetoresistance as well as that of surface spin susceptibility (χ
b
).
An Innovative Approach for Building Health Promotion Program Capacity: A Generic Volunteer Training Curriculum
Authors: Schneider Ellen C. , Altpeter Mary , Whitelaw Nancy 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Purpose: We examined the feasibility of creating a generic training curriculum for volunteers in health promotion programs for older adults by identifying common core content topics across 10 national programs. We also considered additional material that could augment common core content topics. Design and Methods: We reviewed in detail program manuals and associated materials from 10 national evidence-based or best practice health promotion programs for older adults that use volunteers. In Phase I, we created a spreadsheet matrix to track and tabulate the frequency of inclusion of elements across all 10 programs. We arrayed elements under appropriate topics, and program administrators reviewed and verified the information. In Phase II, we reviewed the matrix for comprehensiveness and added elements to augment the identified core topics. Program administrators again reviewed the matrix to ensure accuracy. Results: We found 67 elements of core content across 50% or more of the reviewed health promotion programs. We added 17 elements to enhance curriculum comprehensiveness; these included elements that were (a) in less than 50% of the reviewed programs but recommended by research staff, (b) introduced by research staff, or (c) recommended by program administrators. Implications: Although there are many steps, questions, and issues yet to consider, our findings identify a significant body of general core content that supports the feasibility of creating a generic training curriculum for volunteers as an approach to enhance capacity in evidence-based or best practice health promotion programs.
Characterization of herring populations west of the British Isles: an investigation of mixing based on otolith microchemistry
Authors: Geffen Audrey J. , Nash Richard D. M. , Dickey-Collas Mark 
Published: April 2011

AbstractGeffen, A. J., Nash, R. D. M., and Dickey-Collas, M. 2011. Characterization of herring populations west of the British Isles: an investigation of mixing based on otolith microchemistry. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1447–1458. Herring along the west coast of the British Isles are managed and assessed as a series of discrete stocks. The relationship between the spawning components, mixed (feeding) aggregations, and juveniles in nursery areas for these stocks was modelled by discriminant analysis and integrated stock mixture analysis based on otolith elemental composition data. The relative elemental concentrations produced otolith signals corresponding to three main groupings of nursery-ground fish representing the Irish Sea, Scottish sea lochs, and the Minch. There were significant differences among spawning groups in the otolith concentrations of Li, Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, and Ba. Inclusion of length-at-age information improved the classification rates, ranging overall from 35 to 100%. Spawning groups consist of individuals from a number of different nursery areas and originate from several different management areas. Each of the mixed aggregations contained at least three spawning components. Results suggest that most west coast herring belong to interconnected populations subject to mixing and that populations are not discrete, so the current practice of assessments based on individual spawning components will probably not provide sufficiently robust information for management advice. The complexity of herring populations needs to be considered for both fisheries and coastal-zone management.
Interleukin‐27 enhances the production of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interferon‐γ by bone marrow T lymphocytes in aplastic anaemia
Authors: Li Jianping , Zhao Qinjun , Xing Wen , Feng Jianming , Wu Hao , Li Huiyuan , Ge Meili , Tian Kun , Li Xingxin , Zhou Jianfeng , Liu Bin , Zhang Lei , Zheng Yizhou , Han Zhong C. 
Published: April 2011

SummaryAplastic anaemia (AA) is considered as an immune‐mediated bone marrow failure syndrome. The mechanism is involved with a variety of immune molecules including interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukins (ILs). IL‐27 is a novel member of the IL‐12 family, which mediates T cell response and enhances the production of IFN‐γ. However, little is known about the role of IL‐27 in the development of AA. This study investigated the role of IL‐27 and its receptor IL‐27R in the pathogenesis of AA. Both the mRNA expression of IL‐27/IL‐27R subunits in the bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) and the levels of IL‐27 in the marrow plasma in AA were found to be higher than in controls. Increased IL‐27 correlated with the disease severity of AA. Subsequently, we stimulated marrow T lymphocytes with recombinant human (rh)IL‐27 and found that rhIL‐27 enhanced the production of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from AA patients. We also detected increased TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in the supernatants of BMMNCs from AA patients after IL‐27 stimulation. In conclusion, our data suggest that elevated IL‐27 and IL‐27‐induced TNF‐α and IFN‐γ overproduction might be involved in the pathogenesis of AA.
The impact of foster children's behavioural problems on Flemish foster mothers' parenting behaviour
Authors: Vanderfaeillie Johan , Van Holen Frank , Trogh Lenny , Andries C. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTFoster children often have behavioural problems. Behavioural problems influence the level of parenting stress and can lead to a breakdown. In this study, parenting behaviour of foster mothers is mapped, and the influence of behavioural problems and parenting stress on the parenting behaviour 2 years later is examined. Data of behavioural problems, family stress and parenting were gathered from 49 foster mothers. Problem behaviour has a direct negative impact on parenting and leads to less support and more negative control. It also results in more parenting stress. Foster parents need to be trained aiming at preventing ineffective parenting. The well‐being of foster parents needs to be guarded. Higher levels of parenting stress lead to less effective parenting.
Temperature effects on forest herbs assessed by warming and transplant experiments along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: De FRENNE PIETER , BRUNET JÖRG , SHEVTSOVA ANNA , KOLB ANNETTE , GRAAE BENTE J , CHABRERIE OLIVIER , COUSINS SARA AO , DECOCQ GUILLAUME , De SCHRIJVER AN , DIEKMANN MARTIN , GRUWEZ ROBERT , HEINKEN THILO , HERMY MARTIN , NILSSON CHRISTER , STANTON SHARON , TACK WESLEY , WILLAERT JUSTIN , VERHEYEN KRIS 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSlow‐colonizing forest understorey plants are probably not able to rapidly adjust their distribution range following large‐scale climate change. Therefore, the acclimation potential to climate change within their actual occupied habitats will likely be key for their short‐ and long‐term persistence. We combined transplant experiments along a latitudinal gradient with open‐top chambers to assess the effects of temperature on phenology, growth and reproductive performance of multiple populations of slow‐colonizing understorey plants, using the spring flowering geophytic forbAnemone nemorosaand the early summer flowering grassMilium effusumas study species. In both species, emergence time and start of flowering clearly advanced with increasing temperatures. Vegetative growth (plant height, aboveground biomass) and reproductive success (seed mass, seed germination and germinable seed output) ofA. nemorosabenefited from higher temperatures. Climate warming may thus increase future competitive ability and colonization rates of this species. Apart from the effects on phenology, growth and reproductive performance ofM. effusumgenerally decreased when transplanted southwards (e.g., plant size and number of individuals decreased towards the south) and was probably more limited by light availability in the south. Specific leaf area of both species increased when transplanted southwards, but decreased with open‐top chamber installation inA. nemorosa. In general, individuals of both species transplanted at the home site performed best, suggesting local adaptation. We conclude that contrasting understorey plants may display divergent plasticity in response to changing temperatures which may alter future understorey community dynamics.
Conceptual framework for cognitive function enhancement in people with dementia
Authors: Cheung Daphne SK , Chien Wai T , Lai Claudia KY 
Published: April 2011

Aim.  This aim of this study is to propose a conceptual framework for guiding interventions to enhance the cognitive function of people with dementia.Background.  Few studies have been published on non‐pharmacological approaches with a conceptual framework for an intervention to enhance cognitive function. The Progressive Lowered Stress Threshold model is one of the useful theoretical models for predicting the occurrence of dysfunctional behaviour in people with dementia. Based on the theoretical assertion of the Progressive Lowered Stress Threshold model and empirical findings on the relationship of anxiety and depression with cognitive function, an expanded model is proposed.Design.  Discursive paper.Method.  Literature regarding stress and anxiety in people with dementia was reviewed and critically analysed, and then integrated into the Progressive Lowered Stress Threshold Model. With careful considerations about the relationships between the variables indicated in the Model and the evidences and limitations suggested in the literature reviewed, an expanded model has been proposed, which may guide the development of non‐pharmacological intervention for promoting cognitive functions of people with dementia. Recommendations or implications for practice have been given.Conclusion.  There are three commonly used models in dementia care, including the biomedical, behavioural and Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold model. Their uses and weaknesses are given. An expanded model is suggested, and explanations are provided with regard to its merits in guiding the development of interventions for people with dementia. Further testing on this model is suggested.Relevance to clinical practice.  Cognitive function and dysfunctional behaviour are the major concerns of caregivers of dementia patients. Interventions that can alleviate the symptoms and enhance cognition are likely to improve the well‐being of patients and their caregivers. This purposed model can guide the development of interventions.
Improving our understanding of the colicky infant: a prospective observational study
Authors: Kvitvær Bente G , Miller Joyce , Newell David 
Published: April 2011

Aim.  To investigate characteristics differentially associated with infants suffering from colicky‐crying vs. other infants.Background.  The crying baby is the most common presentation in every clinician’s office in the first 16 weeks of life. As little agreement exists in the literature, attempts to establish differential diagnosis, aetiology, incidence, risk factors and natural progression in addition to appropriate intervention guidelines are urgently needed.Design.  Prospective observational study.Subjects.  Infants ≤12 months, 159 colicky and 27 non‐colicky infants (n = 186) from whom complete data sets were collected.Methods.  Parents of infants presented to the clinic completed questionnaires of their infant’s characteristics. The data were analysed using logistic regression.Results.  Symptoms supporting the diagnosis of colicky‐crying infants included ‘child flexes/curls legs’, ‘child has difficulty/discomfort on bowel movement’, ‘child is more irritable postfeeding’, ‘child is more irritable when put into cot’, ‘child appears in pain’, ‘child wants frequent cuddling’, ‘family allergy/asthma’ and ‘child changes from happy to crying in an instant’. A nomogram illustrated if a mother suggests colic as a diagnosis and the infant has the symptoms supporting the diagnosis, then the chances of being a colicky infant rise from the initial prevalence 85% to approximately 98%. If the symptoms are not present, the chances of being a colicky infant drop from 85% to around 3%.Conclusion.  Because the literature lacks consensus regarding a gold standard for the diagnosis of the colicky‐crying infant, these findings may offer help to the health care practitioner when faced with an excessively crying infant.Relevance to clinical practice.  It has been hypothesised that there may be multiple reasons for excessive crying in an infant. It is necessary to differentiate between the types of crying infants that present to the clinician to determine the best course of action.
Social marketing self‐esteem: a socio‐medical approach to high‐risk and skin tone alteration activities
Authors: Karelas Gregory D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis paper proposes social marketing as a tool to build individual self‐esteem and thus prevent the uptake of activities that pose risk to health. Evidence supporting this approach can be drawn from pioneer social marketing campaigns of the last 30 years that successfully addressed the prevention, treatment and stigmatization of skin cancer and leprosy with a fraction of the communication and media tools available today. Focusing primarily on the practices of skin tanning and lightening, this paper builds on studies that validate the ties between self‐esteem and behavior, and addresses popular conceptions of skin color as drivers for individual behavior.
Collaboration with traditional health practitioners in the provision of skin care for all in Africa
Authors: Ryan Terence J. , Hirt Hans‐Martin , Willcox Merlin 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe Task force for Skin Care for All: Community Dermatology seeks to meet WHO objectives, to draw attention to the role of Traditional Health Practitioners and to develop integrated skin care. In many African countries patients will first use traditional medicine to treat skin diseases. Many traditional practices are beneficial but some are harmful. The Task Force recommends education of traditional and modern health practitioners to improve collaboration, safety and efficacy. Thereby, it aims to improve skin care and to reinforce the best practices.
Pantoea agglomerans pneumonia in a heart–lung transplant recipient: case report and a review of an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Shubov A. , Jagannathan P. , Chin‐Hong P.V. 
Published: April 2011

A. Shubov, P. Jagannathan, P. V. Chin‐Hong. Pantoea agglomerans pneumonia in a heart–lung transplant recipient: case report and a review of an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised hosts. Transpl Infect Dis 2011. All rights reservedAbstract: Pantoea agglomerans is a gram‐negative rod that is frequently found on the exterior of many plants, fruits, vegetables, and in soil, and it is used as a biopesticide in the agriculture industry. Recent reports have implicated P. agglomerans in systemic infections of immunocompromised hosts and neonates, as well as more localized infections in healthy hosts. P. agglomerans as a cause of hospital‐acquired pneumonia has not been well characterized. We report a case of P. agglomerans pneumonia in a heart–lung transplant recipient following transplantation. The organism was susceptible to multiple antimicrobial agents and treated successfully with ertapenem. We review the patient's course and the relevant literature, and discuss implications for the future.
The bacterial biogeography of British soils
Authors: Griffiths Robert I. , Thomson Bruce C. , James Phillip , Bell Thomas , Bailey Mark , Whiteley Andrew S. 
Published: April 2011

SummaryDespite recognition of the importance of soil bacteria to terrestrial ecosystem functioning there is little consensus on the factors regulating belowground biodiversity. Here we present a multi‐scale spatial assessment of soil bacterial community profiles across Great Britain (> 1000 soil cores), and show the first landscape scale map of bacterial distributions across a nation. Bacterial diversity and community dissimilarities, assessed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, were most strongly related to soil pH providing a large‐scale confirmation of the role of pH in structuring bacterial taxa. However, while α diversity was positively related to pH, the converse was true for β diversity (between sample variance in α diversity). β diversity was found to be greatest in acidic soils, corresponding with greater environmental heterogeneity. Analyses of clone libraries revealed the pH effects were predominantly manifest at the level of broad bacterial taxonomic groups, with acidic soils being dominated by few taxa (notably the group 1 Acidobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria). We also noted significant correlations between bacterial communities and most other measured environmental variables (soil chemistry, aboveground features and climatic variables), together with significant spatial correlations at close distances. In particular, bacterial and plant communities were closely related signifying no strong evidence that soil bacteria are driven by different ecological processes to those governing higher organisms. We conclude that broad scale surveys are useful in identifying distinct soil biomes comprising reproducible communities of dominant taxa. Together these results provide a baseline ecological framework with which to pursue future research on both soil microbial function, and more explicit biome based assessments of the local ecological drivers of bacterial biodiversity.
Fast Mean‐Curvature Flow via Finite‐Elements Tracking
Authors: Chuang Ming , Kazhdan Michael 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we present a novel approach for efficiently evolving meshes using mean‐curvature flow. We use a finite‐elements hierarchy that supports an efficient multigrid solver for performing the semi‐implicit time‐stepping. Although expensive to compute, we show that it is possible to track this hierarchy through the process of surface evolution. As a result, we provide a way to efficiently flow the surface through the evolution, without requiring a costly initialization at the beginning of each time‐step. Using our approach, we demonstrate a factor of nearly seven‐fold improvement over the non‐tracking implementation, supporting the evolution of surfaces consisting of 1M triangles at a rate of just a few seconds per update.
A Survey of Image Statistics Relevant to Computer Graphics
Authors: Pouli Tania , Cunningham Douglas W. , Reinhard Erik 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe statistics of natural images have attracted the attention of researchers in a variety of fields and have been used as a means to better understand the human visual system and its processes. A number of algorithms in computer graphics, vision and image processing take advantage of such statistical findings to create visually more plausible results. With this report we aim to review the state of the art in image statistics and discuss existing and potential applications within computer graphics and related areas.
Non‐Linear Beam Tracing on a GPU
Authors: Liu Baoquan , Wei Li‐Yi , Yang Xu , Ma Chongyang , Xu Ying‐Qing , Guo Baining , Wu Enhua 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBeam tracing combines the flexibility of ray tracing and the speed of polygon rasterization. However, beam tracing so far only handles linear transformations; thus, it is only applicable to linear effects such as planar mirror reflections but not to non‐linear effects such as curved mirror reflection, refraction, caustics and shadows. In this paper, we introduce non‐linear beam tracing to render these non‐linear effects. Non‐linear beam tracing is highly challenging because commodity graphics hardware supports only linear vertex transformation and triangle rasterization. We overcome this difficulty by designing a non‐linear graphics pipeline and implementing it on top of a commodity GPU. This allows beams to be non‐linear where rays within the same beam do not have to be parallel or intersect at a single point. Using these non‐linear beams, real‐time GPU applications can render secondary rays via polygon streaming similar to how they render primary rays. A major strength of this methodology is that it naturally supports fully dynamic scenes without the need to pre‐store a scene database. Utilizing our approach, non‐linear ray tracing effects can be rendered in real‐time on a commodity GPU under a unified framework.
LABOR MARKET INSTITUTIONS AND MACROECONOMIC VOLATILITY IN A PANEL OF OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: Rumler Fabio , Scharler Johann 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTIn this paper we analyze empirically how labor market institutions influence business cycle volatility in a sample of 20 OECD countries. Our results suggest that countries characterized by high union density tend to experience more volatile movements in output, whereas the degree of coordination of the wage bargaining system and the strictness of employment protection legislation appear to be only of limited importance. We also find some evidence suggesting that highly coordinated wage bargaining systems have a dampening impact on inflation volatility.
RICH STATES, POOR STATES: CONVERGENCE AND POLARISATION IN INDIA
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTThe distribution dynamics of incomes across Indian states are examined using the entire income distribution. Unlike standard regression approaches this approach allows us to identify specific distributional characteristics such as polarisation and stratification. The period between 1965 and 1997 exhibits the formation of two convergence clubs: one at 50% and another at 125% of the national average income. Income disparities across the states declined over the 1960s and then increased from the 1970s to the nineties. Conditioning exercises reveal that the observed polarisation is associated with the disparate distribution of infrastructure. In particular, education, the extent of irrigation and literacy are found to be associated with the formation of the lower convergence club.