bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SOIL QUALITY AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE EFFECTS IN A TYPIC HAPLUSTOLL
Authors: Ozgoz E. , Gunal H. , Acir N. , Gokmen F. , Birol M. , Budak M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTSoil management practices can have negative or positive effects on soil quality. Our objective was to assess the effect of long‐term agricultural practices by evaluating selected soil physical and chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm) within a native pasture and an adjacent agricultural field that was being used for three different crop rotations. Soil quality was quantified using aggregate stability, bulk density, soil texture and available water content as physical properties and pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and available phosphorus as chemical properties. The farmland soils were functioning at 71 and 70 per cent of their full potential at the 0‐ to 15‐ and 15 to 30‐cm‐depth increments, respectively, whereas those from the pasture were functioning at 73 and 69 per cent, respectively. The assessment showed substantial loss in soil organic carbon following 50 years of farmland cultivation. Tillage and fertilizer applications were presumably the primary reasons for weaker spatial dependence within farmland at the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth. Grazing was postulated as the main reason for weaker spatial dependence within the pasture soils at the 15‐ to 30‐cm depth. Overall, we conclude that 50 years of cultivation has not caused soil quality to decline to a point that threatens sustainability of the agricultural fields. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensory perception changes induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Palomar Francisco J. , Díaz‐Corrales Francisco , Carrillo Fatima , Fernández‐del‐Olmo Miguel , Koch Giacomo , Mir Pablo 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSensory symptoms are common nonmotor manifestations of Parkinson's disease. It has been hypothesized that abnormal central processing of sensory signals occurs in Parkinson's disease and is related to dopaminergic treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the alterations in sensory perception induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation of the primary somatosensory cortex in patients with Parkinson's disease and the modulatory effects of dopaminergic treatment. Fourteen patients with Parkinson's disease with and without dopaminergic treatment and 13 control subjects were included. Twenty milliseconds after peripheral electrical tactile stimuli in the contralateral thumb, paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the right primary somatosensory cortex was delivered. We evaluated the perception of peripheral electrical tactile stimuli at 2 conditioning stimulus intensities, set at 70% and 90% of the right resting motor threshold, using different interstimulus intervals. At 70% of the resting motor threshold, paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the right primary somatosensory cortex induced an increase in positive responses at short interstimulus intervals (1–7 ms) in controls but not in patients with dopaminergic treatment. At 90% of the resting motor threshold, controls and patients showed similar transcranial magnetic stimulation effects. Changes in peripheral electrical tactile stimuli perception after paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex are altered in patients with Parkinson's disease with dopaminergic treatment compared with controls. These findings suggest that primary somatosensory cortex excitability could be involved in changes in somatosensory integration in Parkinson's disease with dopaminergic treatment. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Proteomic profiling reveals compartment‐specific, novel functions of ascidian sperm proteins
Authors: Nakachi Mia , Nakajima Ayako , Nomura Mamoru , Yonezawa Kouki , Ueno Keisuke , Endo Toshinori , Inaba Kazuo 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this study, we performed extensive proteomic analysis of sperm from the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Sperm were fractionated into heads and flagella, followed by further separation into Triton X‐100‐soluble and ‐insoluble fractions. Proteins from each fraction and whole sperm were separated by isoelectric focusing using two different pH ranges, followed by SDS–PAGE at two different polyacrylamide concentrations. In total, 1,294 protein spots representing 304 non‐redundant proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF). On comparison of the proteins in each fraction, we were able to identify the proteins specific to different sperm compartments. Further comparison with the testis proteome allowed the pairing of proteins with sperm‐specific functions. Together with information on gene expression in developing embryos and adult tissues, these results provide insight into novel cellular and functional aspects of sperm proteins, such as distinct localization of actin isoforms, novel Ca2+‐binding proteins in axonemes, localization of testis‐specific serine/threonine kinase, and the presence of G‐protein coupled signaling and ubiquitin pathway in sperm flagella. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:529–549, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Therapeutic Foot Health Education for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Narrative Review
Authors: Graham AS , Hammond A , Williams AE 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPurposeFoot health interventions such as foot orthoses for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reduce pain, improve function and improve overall quality of life. Additionally, patient education (PE) is considered essential in achieving good outcomes with interventions such as foot orthoses, footwear and self‐care. The aim of this literature review was to identify evidence in relation to the content, use and delivery of PE in the management of RA foot problems.MethodsAn electronic search of the following databases was performed: PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, Medline and the Cochrane Library, between March 2000 and March 2010. In order to be included, studies had to be published in English, involve adults (>18 years) with RA, and assist in answering the research question. No publications regarding PE for the management of foot health‐related problems in RA were found. However, other key terms emerged that embraced PE for people with RA and informed a further search. Thirty‐two papers met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed with regard to the subject area, content of the paper, methodological issues and their key findings.ResultsThe present review provides evidence for the effectiveness of PE for people with RA delivered via a staged approach, with the content and timing of education provision being driven by the needs of the patient.ConclusionsThe effect of PE delivered from a podiatric context needs to be explored, and the nature and requirements of PE for individuals with RA‐related foot problems from a patient and practitioner perspective requires investigation. Alternative and innovative ways of providing PE and, potentially, self‐management need to be investigated and defined. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interplay between the hot phonon effect and intervalley scattering on the cooling rate of hot carriers in GaAs and InP
Authors: Clady Raphael , Tayebjee Murad J. Y. , Aliberti Pasquale , König Dirk , Ekins‐Daukes Nicholas John , Conibeer Gavin J. , Schmidt Timothy W. , Green Martin A. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThe influence of hot phonon effect and intervalley scattering on the hot carrier cooling rate was investigated using femtosecond time‐resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy in bulk GaAs and InP, two electronically similar but vibrationally distinct semiconductors. In both materials, a broad photoluminescence signal that extends from the band gap energy to values larger than the pump pulse energy was observed during the first few picoseconds after photoexcitation, for different excitation energies (1.7, 1.88, and 2.4 eV) at high carrier densities (>1019 cm−3). Different hot carrier relaxation times were observed in GaAs and InP for different excitation energies, demonstrating the influence of intervalley scattering phenomena in GaAs. When electrons were not energetic enough to access satellite valleys, longer decay transients were observed for InP compared with GaAs. This provides experimental evidence of the hot phonon effect in InP. Temperature transients were calculated by analyzing the topography of the two‐dimensional spectra. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics of a plant pathogen: Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Rosen Ran , Ron Eliora Z. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAgrobacterium tumefaciens is an important plant pathogen which belongs to the α‐proteobacteria. In addition, it has served as the main tool for plant molecular genetics. Here we focus on three major aspects: (i) proteomic mapping, (ii) the use of proteomics for the understanding of the response of A. tumefaciens to changes in environmental conditions and (iii) the analysis of the changes in genome expression following interaction with the host. These studies convey a global outlook on the functional genomics of A. tumefaciens and help to understand the physiology of this important organism.
Proteome analysis of host–pathogen interactions: Investigation of pathogen responses to the host cell environment
Authors: Schmidt Frank , Völker Uwe 
Published: June 2011

AbstractInfectious diseases are still a major health risk, and thus a better understanding of the interaction between human host cells and pathogenic microbes is urgently required. Since the interplay between both partners is highly complex, genome‐wide analysis by OMICs approaches will likely make a major contribution to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of infection processes. In the concert of OMICs technologies, proteomics is particularly important because it reveals changes in the active players of the cell and has thus a close relationship to the phenotypic changes observed. While proteomic studies of in vitro‐grown microbial pathogens are routinely established in many labs, in vivo proteomic approaches are still rare. Here, we will review the challenges and recent developments of proteomic analysis of microbial pathogens derived from cell culture or in vivo infection settings and summarize some lessons that have been learned from these studies.
Rapid proteomic remodeling of cardiac tissue caused by total body ionizing radiation
Authors: Azimzadeh Omid , Scherthan Harry , Sarioglu Hakan , Barjaktarovic Zarko , Conrad Marcus , Vogt Andreas , Calzada‐Wack Julia , Neff Frauke , Aubele Michaela , Buske Christian , Atkinson Michael J. , Tapio Soile 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAccidental nuclear scenarios lead to environmental contamination of unknown level. Immediate radiation‐induced biological responses that trigger processes leading to adverse health effects decades later are not well understood. A comprehensive proteomic analysis provides a promising means to identify and quantify the initial damage after radiation exposure. Early changes in the cardiac tissue of C57BL/6 mice exposed to total body irradiation were studied, using a dose relevant to both intentional and accidental exposure (3 Gy gamma ray). Heart tissue protein lysates were analyzed 5 and 24 h after the exposure using isotope‐coded protein labeling (ICPL) and 2‐dimensional difference‐in‐gel‐electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) proteomics approaches. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC‐ESI‐MS‐MS. Both techniques showed similar functional groups of proteins to be involved in the initial injury. Pathway analyses indicated that total body irradiation immediately induced biological responses such as inflammation, antioxidative defense, and reorganization of structural proteins. Mitochondrial proteins represented the protein class most sensitive to ionizing radiation. The proteins involved in the initial damage processes map to several functional categories involving cardiotoxicity. This prompts us to propose that these early changes are indicative of the processes that lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease after radiation exposure.
Evaluation of impulse oscillometry during bronchial challenge testing in children
Authors: Bailly Carole , Crenesse Dominique , Albertini Marc 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe impulse oscillation system (IOS) allows easy measurement of respiratory system impedance (Zrs). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of IOS parameters obtained during methacholine challenge by comparison with “the gold standard” forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1).MethodsMeasurements of FEV1 and resistances at 5 and 20 Hz, reactance at 5 Hz, impedance at 5 Hz and resonant frequency were performed in 227 children with suspected asthma, before and during methacholine challenge. Data were analyzed in the overall population and in three subgroups according to the final diagnosis: asthma (n = 72), chronic cough and nonspecific respiratory symptoms (n = 122), allergic rhinitis (n = 33).ResultsAll IOS parameters changed significantly during the tests but only changes in X5 were significantly different between responders and nonresponders. Moreover, changes in IOS parameters were not correlated with changes in FEV1 apart from a weak correlation for X5. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for changes in X5 (to predict a 20% decrease in FEV1) showed a best decision level for a 50% decrease in X5 with a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 85%. Results were not different in the asthma group.ConclusionThe accuracy of measurements by IOS during methacholine bronchial challenge in children was not suitable when compared with FEV1. It could be assumed that spirometry and IOS, while both providing indirect indices of airway patency, are exploring different mechanisms, each with its own methodological potentials and limitations. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46: 1209–1214. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subcritical barrier AlN/GaN E/D‐mode HFETs and inverters
Authors: Zimmermann Tom , Cao Yu , Li Guowang , Snider Gregory , Jena Debdeep , Xing Huili (Grace) 
Published: June 2011

AbstractEnhancement‐ and depletion‐mode AlN/GaN HFETs have been fabricated with a subcritical barrier design: a two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is induced in the highly resistive as‐grown heterostructure when a suitable capping material is deposited over the ultrathin AlN barrier. In this bottom‐up approach 2DEGs can be locally induced by patterned cap layers on subcritical barrier AlN/GaN heterostructures, which can enable the monolithic integration of enhancement‐ and depletion‐mode HFETs. An inverter circuit with 1.5 nm ultrathin AlN barrier E‐ and D‐mode HFETs was successfully demonstrated with reasonable voltage transfer characteristics, noise margin, and gain. To our best knowledge this is the first reported inverter based on subcritical barrier III–V nitride heterostructures.magnified image
Integration of E‐ and D‐mode HFETs in a subcritical barrier AlN/GaN heterostructure, where n2DEG ∼ 0 in the as‐grown structure. A patterned cap locally enhances 2DEG at the AlN/GaN hetero‐interface due to barrier lowering. It is an additive approach in contrast to the conventional gate recessing technique.
BENIGN USE OF SALT SLUGS ON AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATES: MEASURING DISCHARGE WITH SALT DURING AN AQUATIC ECOLOGY STUDY
Authors: Muehlbauer J. D. , Duncan J. M. , Doyle M. W. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTPulsed salt tracer injections (salt slugs) are widely used for measuring discharge in streams, particularly in small streams. However, salt slug usage in stream ecology studies is limited, possibly due to concerns that salt injections may affect biotic results. We used salt slug measurements concomitantly with macroinvertebrate sampling over the course of a summer field season and show that the realistic use of salt slugs to measure discharge at our sites was benign with respect to several common biotic community metrics. Salt slug discharge measurements may warrant more usage as a component of stream ecology studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new approach for semiconductor parameter extraction using cathodoluminescence and artificial neural networks
Authors: Soualmia S. , Bouldjedri A. , Benhaya A. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this paper, a new parameter extraction technique that jointly extracts four semiconductor‐related parameters from theoretical/experimental cathodoluminescence data collected as a function of electron‐beam energy is presented. The extraction technique is based on feed‐forward artificial neural networks (ANN) where the ANN is trained to learn the inherent relationship between the input parameters (absorption coefficient α, diffusion length L, dead layer thickness Zt, and relative quantum efficiency Q) and the output parameter (CL intensity versus electron beam energy). After the training of the ANN, it is possible to observe the reverse process and extract the four parameters from any CL curve using an exhaustive search method. One of the main advantages of the proposed method is that the optimum set of values for the four parameters (α, L, Zt, Q) are obtained because the exhaustive search is performed in the search space spanned by all four parameters. Computational results on an n‐type GaAs free defect semiconductor sample show that a unique set of parameter values with errors less than 5.5% from the nominal values can be obtained for each set of the experimental data points using the proposed algorithm. SCANNING 33: 252–265, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Developments in low‐voltage microscopy instrumentation
Authors: Muray Lawrence P. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractLow‐voltage microscopy can produce high‐resolution, high‐contrast images of nanometer‐scale surface features. Several techniques exist for low‐energy electron generation, but most successful in current instrumentation is the combination of a magnetic lens with an electrostatic immersion lens. This compound lens allows the low‐voltage column to maintain high potential in the column while independently controlling the landing energy on the sample. Aberration coefficients decrease linearly with the immersion ratio leading to larger optimum semiconvergent angle on the sample and improvement in spot size and beam current. Most recently highly scaled miniature electron beam columns have shown promising low‐voltage performance from all electrostatic lenses operating only at low potential. This article explores the current design of low‐voltage columns, including variations on compound lenses and miniature lenses, and from a system level, discusses the strength and weaknesses of each design. SCANNING 33: 155–161, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of qualitative and quantitative system dynamics training: an experimental investigation
Authors: Dhawan Rajat , O'Connor Marcus , Borman Mark 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWhile there are numerous studies that test the effectiveness of qualitative system dynamics and quantitative system dynamics training individually and in isolation, there are none that test their relative contribution to solving dynamic problems. The study reported here seeks to answer the question of whether people trained in qualitative system dynamics alone are able to solve dynamic problems or whether they also require quantitative system dynamics training. A pre‐test/post‐test‐based experiment was conducted over 6 weeks involving 31 participants. The findings suggest that exposure to either methodology is successful in solving a relatively simple task (a one‐stock problem with no feedback). However, for a complex task (a two‐stock forecasting problem with feedback), qualitative system dynamics training alone is not sufficient and in such cases the knowledge of quantitative system dynamics must be used to effectively solve the problem. Copyright © 2011 System Dynamics Society.
Molecular Analysis of Blood with Micro‐/Nanoscale Field‐Effect‐Transistor Biosensors
Authors: Makowski Matthew S. , Ivanisevic Albena 
Published: June 2011

AbstractRapid and accurate molecular blood analysis is essential for disease diagnosis and management. Field‐effect transistor (FET) biosensors are a type of device that promise to advance blood point‐of‐care testing by offering desirable characteristics such as portability, high sensitivity, brief detection time, low manufacturing cost, multiplexing, and label‐free detection. By controlling device parameters, desired FET biosensor performance is obtained. This review focuses on the effects of sensing environment, micro‐/nanoscale device structure, operation mode, and surface functionalization on device performance and long‐term stability.
Self‐Organization of Thin Polymer Films Guided by Electrostatic Charges on the Substrate
Authors: Zhao Dan , Martinez Aaron D. , Xi Xiaolei , Ma Xinlei , Wu Ning , Cao Tingbing 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe self‐organization of thin polymer films into functional patterns is important both scientifically and technologically. Electric fields have been exploited as an efficient and powerful means to induce the destabilization and self‐organization of soft materials. Previous attention, however, has mainly focused on externally applied electric fields. It is shown herein that the internal electric field is strong enough to guide the self‐organization of thin polymer films as well. Patterns of electrostatic charges with micrometer resolution are first introduced on a dielectric substrate. A thin polymer film is then spin‐coated onto the topographically flat substrate. Upon thermal annealing, the thin polymer film destabilizes due to a lateral gradient of electrostatic stress and flows away from the electroneutral regime to the charged area, resembling the patterns of charges on the substrate. Theoretical and numerical modeling based on the electrohydrodynamic instability shows excellent agreement with experimental observations both qualitatively and quantitatively. It is also demonstrated that the interplay between charge‐driven instability with spinodal dewetting and Rayleigh instabilities can generate finer and hierarchical polymeric patterns that are completely different from the charge patterns preintroduced on the substrate. This study provides direct evidence that the internal electric field caused by charges on the substrate is strong enough to destabilize thin polymeric films and generate patterns. This study also demonstrates new strategies for bottom‐up fabrication of structured functional materials.
Process attribute rating and sensitivity analysis in process assessment
Authors: Jung Ho‐Won 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYThe capability level of a process assessed on the basis of International Standard ISO/IEC 15504 is determined by utilizing process attributes ratings (PAs). PA rating as a composite indicator is determined by the extent to which outcomes or the implemented practices are achieved. However, the ISO/IEC 15504 standards do not provide recommendations as to assessment methods, including the following: (i) which of the outcomes or practices implemented are evaluated as an intermediate step in rating the PA; and (ii) how a set of their achievements is aggregated into the PA rating. This study addresses a simple additive weighting method based on the performance value and weights of practices implemented as well as its rationale, in order to facilitate consistent and repeatable PA ratings. Then, sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate how much a change in the weight or performance value of an implemented practice will affect and alter the current PA rating. Our sensitivity analysis can be employed in cases in which an assessor must explain his/her ratings to assessment team members, as well as the organizational unit assessed. Six examples are provided to illustrate the applications of our sensitivity analyses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.