bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of growth temperature on exciton lifetime and structural properties of ZnO films on sapphire substrate
Authors: Cho S. , Kim S. I. , Kim Y. H. , Mickevičius J. , Tamulaitis G. , Shur M. S. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe report on optimization of growth conditions by studying the structural and optical properties of ZnO films grown on sapphire substrate by pulsed laser deposition at different growth temperatures. The crystallographic structure and surface morphology were studied by X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The flattest surface was observed in the sample grown at substrate temperature of 500 °C. The optical characterization was performed by steady state and time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Photoluminescence of the samples was studied at low CW excitation and at high‐power‐density pulsed excitation in picosecond domain. Stimulated emission was observed at pulsed excitation. Carrier lifetimes were found to significantly depend on the growth temperature reaching the peak value also in the samples grown at approximately 500 °C. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Temperature dependence of the photocurrent excited above the fundamental absorption edge of PbWO4
Authors: Itoh Chihiro , Kigoshi Satohiro 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPhotocurrent of lead tungstate (PbWO4) single crystals has been studied in the temperature range from 4 K to 270 K. The excitation spectrum of the photocurrent characterized by a prominent peak at 4.1 eV and a rise above 4.5 eV was obtained at 270 K. Below 150 K, the photocurrents excited at 4.15 eV and 4.7 eV show analogous temperature dependence with each others. However, the photocurrent excited at 4.15 eV exhibits thermal activation type temperature dependence above 150 K. We find that the photocurrent showing thermal activation is induced efficiently by the excitation at 4.12 eV, but by neither the excitonic transition nor the band‐to‐band transition. The temperature dependence of the photocurrent is discussed in terms of temperature dependence of the mobility and the carrier density. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron paramagnetic resonance and electron‐nuclear double resonance study of Mn2+ ions in CdGeAs2 crystals
Authors: Evans S. M. , Garces N. Y. , DeMattei R. C. , Feigelson R. S. , Zawilski K. T. , Giles N. C. , Halliburton L. E. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractElectron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron‐nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) have been used to characterize Mn2+ (3d5) ions in CdGeAs2 crystals grown by the horizontal Bridgman method. These samples were p‐type with room‐temperature hole concentrations ranging from 2 × 1015 cm–3 to 5 × 1016 cm–3. The Mn2+ ions substitute for the Cd2+ ions in this tetragonal chalcopyrite lattice, and form “deep” isoelectronic centers. Their g values and crystal‐field parameters are g ‖ = 2.0025, g ⊥ = 2.0011, D = 118.8 MHz, a + 2/3F = 18.4 MHz, and a = –0.3 MHz. The hyperfine and nuclear electric quadrupole parameters for the 55Mn nucleus are A ‖ = –154.94 MHz, A ⊥ = –155.69 MHz, and P = 0.622 MHz. Hyperfine parameters for one set of nearby Cd nuclei and two sets of nearby As nuclei were also determined using ENDOR. No evidence was found in these doped bulk crystals to suggest that Mn4+ ions substitute for Ge4+ ions. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
7th International Conference on Excitonic Processes in Condensed Matter (EXCON'06) Winston‐Salem, NC, USA, 26–30 June 2006
Authors: Petelenz P. , Schreiber M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis conference report is meant to offer an authoritative view on a recently held scientific meeting rather than a comprehensive list of the conference presentations. We tried to describe what we feel were the most interesting contributions.The full Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Excitonic Processes in Condensed Matter (EXCON'06) shall be published in phys. stat. sol. (b) and phys. stat. sol. (c) in November 2006. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFANT MORTALITY AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
Authors: GOZA FRANKLIN W. , STOCKWELL EDWARD G. , BALISTRERI KELLY S. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThis study presents an ecological analysis of the relationship between infant mortality and economic status by race in metropolitan Ohio, using census data on mother’s residence and economic status determined by the percentage of low-income families living in each area. The analysis updates previous studies as white–non-white comparisons for total infant mortality are examined for the US censuses of 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000; and more detailed period- and broad cause-specific rates are presented for 2000. A pronounced inverse association is consistently found between income status and infant mortality for whites, while for non-whites this pattern first emerges in 1979–81, disappears during the 1980s and then returns more strongly during the 1990s. Similarly, the 2000 data reveal a consistent inverse pattern between income status and infant mortality for white and non-white neonatal and postneonatal death rates, as well as exogenous cause-specific death rates. It is concluded that low-income whites and non-whites have infant mortality rates substantially higher than the overall rate for the population. Policy implications are discussed.
Bovine tuberculosis in southern African wildlife: a multi-species host–pathogen system
Authors: RENWICK A. R. , WHITE P. C. L. , BENGIS R. G. 
Published: September 2006

SUMMARYThis review examines the current situation of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in southern African savannah systems, and uses theory on multi-species host–pathogen systems to suggest possible options for future research and management. In southern Africa, the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Kafue lechwe [Marsh antelope] (Kobus leche) have been found to be maintenance hosts for this disease, but the importance of other host species is becoming apparent. The role of other host species in the maintenance and spread of the disease varies, depending on the spatial distribution and resource utilization patterns of the species, disease susceptibility, transmission modes and the ecology of both host(s) and vector(s). Future research needs to identify the pathogenicity of bTB in each of the host species, and the mechanisms and rates of inter- and intra-specific transmission among different species, in order to develop multi-host models to understand the development and spread of the disease.
The C2 domain protein BAP1 negatively regulates defense responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Huijun , Li Yongqing , Hua Jian 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe Arabidopsis BAP1 gene encodes a small protein with a C2‐like domain. Here we show that the BAP1 protein is capable of binding to phospholipids in a calcium‐dependent manner and is associated with membranes in vivo. We identify multiple roles of BAP1 in negatively regulating defense responses and cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana. The loss of BAP1 function confers an enhanced disease resistance to virulent bacterial and oomycete pathogens. The enhanced resistance is mediated by salicylic acid, PAD4 and a disease resistance gene SNC1. BAP1 is also involved in the control of cell death, which is suggested by an altered hypersensitive response to an avirulent bacterial pathogen in the bap1 loss‐of‐function mutant. BAP1 overexpression leads to an enhanced susceptibility to a virulent oomycete, suggesting a role for BAP1 in basal defense response. Furthermore, the BAP1 protein probably functions together with an evolutionarily conserved C2 domain protein BON1/CPN1 to negatively regulate defense responses in plants.
Endogenous isoflavones are essential for the establishment of symbiosis between soybean and Bradyrhizobium japonicum
Authors: Subramanian Senthil , Stacey Gary , Yu Oliver 
Published: September 2006

SummaryLegume iso/flavonoids have been implicated in the nodulation process, but questions remain as to their specific role(s), and no unequivocal evidence exists showing that these compounds are essential for nodulation. Two hypotheses suggest that the primary role of iso/flavonoids is their ability to induce rhizobial nod gene expression and/or their ability to modulate internal root auxin concentrations. The present work provides direct, genetic evidence that isoflavones are essential for nodulation of soybean roots because of their ability to induce the nodulation genes of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Expression of isoflavone synthase (IFS), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of isoflavones, is specifically induced by B. japonicum. When IFS was silenced using RNA interference in soybean hairy root composite plants, these plants had severely reduced nodulation. Surprisingly, pre‐treatment of B. japonicum or exogenous application to the root system of either of the major soybean isoflavones, daidzein or genistein, failed to restore normal nodulation. Silencing of chalcone reductase led to very low levels of daidzein and increased levels of genistein, but did not affect nodulation, suggesting that the endogenous production of genistein was sufficient to support nodulation. Consistent with a role for isoflavones as endogenous regulators of auxin transport in soybean roots, silencing of IFS resulted in altered auxin‐inducible gene expression and auxin transport. However, use of a genistein‐hypersensitive B. japonicum strain or purified B. japonicum Nod signals rescued normal nodulation in IFS‐silenced roots, indicating that the ability of isoflavones to modulate auxin transport is not essential to nodulation.
Risk factors for rising creatinine in renal allografts with 1 and 3 yr survival
Authors: Paraskevas Steven , Kandaswamy Raja , Humar Abhinav , Gillingham Kristen J. , Gruessner Rainer W. , Payne William D. , Najarian John S. , Sutherland David E.R. , Matas Arthur J. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract: Background: Determining factors associated with negative slope of inverse creatinine vs. time (1/Cr vs. t) may help prevent a decline in renal allograft function.Methods: A total of 1389 adult recipients of primary renal transplants were divided into quartiles based on the slope of 1/Cr vs. t calculated from 6 and 12 months post transplant. A multivariate analysis of risk factors for being in the worst vs. best quartile employed these variables: donor source, HLA mismatch, recipient age, donor age, panel‐reactive antibody (PRA), acute rejection (AR), 3‐month cyclosporin A (CsA) level, 1‐yr CsA level and acute tubular necrosis. Two separate analyses compared risk factors in patients with 1 and 3 yr survival, respectively.Results: In recipients with ≥1 yr graft survival, high PRA and AR were associated with negative slopes of 1/Cr vs. t. For those with ≥3 yr graft survival, both AR and 3‐month CsA level >150 ng/mL were significant risk factors, using both 6‐ and 12‐month slopes. Stratification of AR showed 1 AR episode ≥6 months and multiple AR episodes carried significant risk for negative slopes.Conclusion: Optimization of allograft function invokes a conundrum between the needs to avoid both AR and high early CsA levels. We support a policy of carefully balancing these two risks.
Intraoperative hypotension and prolonged operative time as risk factors for slow graft function in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Sandid Mohamad S. , Assi Maha A. , Hall Sandra 
Published: September 2006

Abstract: Background: Slow graft function (SGF) is an immediate post‐operative complication of cadaveric kidney transplantation pre‐disposing to acute rejection (AR) and lower graft survival. The objective of this study was to test whether intraoperative hypotension and/or prolonged operative time are risk factors for SGF in patients post‐cadaveric kidney transplant.Methods: This was a single center retrospective case–control study of patients post‐cadaveric kidney transplant performed at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) between January 2002 and February 2005. Data were retrieved from the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) database.Results: One hundred and sixty patients underwent cadaveric kidney transplant. Intraoperative measurements including blood pressure and operative time were available in 94 patients of which 57 had immediate graft function (IGF) and 37 had SGF (defined as decline in serum creatinine (Cr) of <50% by day 3). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, intraoperative hypotension and prolonged operative time were additive independent risk factors for SGF. For every 5 mmHg increment decrease in blood pressure, the odds ratio (OR) for SGF was 1.28 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–1.53) for systolic blood pressure (SBP), 1.38 (CI: 1.06–1.79) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and 1.51 (CI: 1.15–1.99) for mean arterial pressure (MAP). For every 30 min increase in operative time, the OR for SGF was 1.35 (CI: 1.07–1.71).Conclusion: Intraoperative hypotension and prolonged operative time are independent risk factors for SGF in patients post‐cadaveric kidney transplant.
Quality assurance in online education: The Universitas 21 Global approach
Authors: Chua Alton , Lam Wing 
Published: September 2006

AbstractDespite the proliferation of online education, concerns remain about the quality of online programmes. Quality assurance (QA) has become a prominent issue, not only for educational institutions and accreditors, but also for students and employers alike. This paper describes some of the rather unique QA processes used at Universitas 21 Global (U21G), one of the new breed of online academic institutions, and its relation to U21pedagogica, the independent agency that approves U21G’s programmes. These distinctive QA processes relate to five main areas, namely, content authoring, courseware development, adjunct faculty recruitment, pedagogy and delivery. The authors believe that these QA processes have contributed significantly to student satisfaction and student retention at U21G. Furthermore, these QA processes can also be adapted to suit more traditional ‘brick‐and‐mortar’ universities offering online programmes.
The effects of maternal social phobia on mother–infant interactions and infant social responsiveness
Authors: Murray Lynne , Cooper Peter , Creswell Cathy , Schofield Elizabeth , Sack Caroline 
Published: September 2006

Background: Social phobia aggregates in families. The genetic contribution to intergenerational transmission is modest, and parenting is considered important. Research on the effects of social phobia on parenting has been subject to problems of small sample size, heterogeneity of samples and lack of specificity of observational frameworks. We addressed these problems in the current study.Methods: We assessed mothers with social phobia (N = 84) and control mothers (N = 89) at 10 weeks in face‐to‐face interactions with their infants, and during a social challenge, namely, engaging with a stranger. We also assessed mothers with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) (N = 50). We examined the contribution to infant social responsiveness of early infant characteristics (neonatal irritability), as well as maternal behaviour.Results: Mothers with social phobia were no less sensitive to their infants during face‐to‐face interactions than control mothers, but when interacting with the stranger they appeared more anxious, engaged less with the stranger themselves, and were less encouraging of the infant's interaction with the stranger; infants of index mothers also showed reduced social responsiveness to the stranger. These differences did not apply to mothers with GAD and their infants. Regression analyses showed that the reduction in social responsiveness in infants of mothers with social phobia was predicted by neonatal irritability and the degree to which the mother encouraged the infant to interact with the stranger.Conclusions: Mothers with social phobia show specific parenting difficulties, and their infants show early signs of reduced social responsiveness that are related to both individual infant differences and a lack of maternal encouragement to engage in social interactions.
Successes and failures of the mirroring principle: the case of angling and beauty websites
Authors: Moss Gloria A. , Gunn Rod , Kubacki Krzysztof 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis article examines whether industries with differing target markets in terms of their customers’ gender reflect the design preferences of their target markets in line with the mirroring principle. An analysis was conducted of websites of industries concentrated alternatively on male and female consumers, namely the angling and beauty salon industries. In each case, a random selection of 60 angling and beauty websites were rated using rating characteristics identified as typical of the male and female web‐design production aesthetic. The fact that each gender has a marked preference for the production aesthetic of its own gender, and that the websites of industries focused on, alternatively, male and female consumers, are produced using a predominantly male design production aesthetic, shows the current failure in certain industries to deliver the empathy or mirroring principle. The male domination of the information technology and web‐design industries, together with the earlier rooting of research on web aesthetics in the universalist, as against the interactionist perspective, are adduced as possible factors in this failure. This failure, if representative of other industries, could be leading to the suboptimal use of web design for markets not dominated by men, and may be one of the factors leading women to be less frequent users of the web than men.
Consumers’ perspectives on online banking services
Authors: Mavri Maria , Ioannou George 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe forces of economic change, coupled with advancements in technology, prompt banks to rethink their use of traditional branches and begin forming new partnerships to deliver financial services. The Internet seems to be the new delivery channel in the banking sector. Factors such as the security of personal data or the reliability of a financial institution have been identified by previous studies as the determinants of electronic‐banking adoption. In this paper, a series of new factors, such as the difficulties of using the Internet, are shown to play a crucial role in the consumer’s attitude – adoption or rejection – of this new alternative channel. We examine consumer behaviour by modelling multivariate categorical response data using a generalized linear model. Our choice model is based on the assumption that an individual’s decision to use electronic services depends on a number of explanatory variables, and we try to estimate the factors that affect an individual’s decision to use online services.
Effect of caregiver feeding behaviours on child nutritional status in rural Ghana
Authors: Nti Christina A. , Lartey Anna 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA six‐month observational study involving 100 mothers with infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months was conducted in the Manya Krobo district of Ghana. The objective was to assess the role of caregiver feeding behaviours on child nutritional status using a modified positive deviance approach. Each child was in the study for 6 months, during which they were observed at home once a month. On each visit, data were collected on the child anthropometry, child meal frequency, diet diversity, responsiveness of caregiver during feeding, child’s appetite and feeding atmosphere as well as caregiver hygienic practices related to feeding. Using weight‐for‐age (WAZ) and length‐for‐age (LAZ) scores, the children were classified as positive or negative deviant children. The study revealed significant differences between the two groups of children in terms of caregiver feeding behaviours. Positive deviant children had significantly higher meal frequencies (3.1 ± 0.4 vs. 2.4 ± 0.6, P = 0.001), diet diversity scores (6.3 ± 0.6 vs. 3.7 ± 1.1, P = 0.001), were fed under better hygienic conditions (7.2 ± 0.9 vs. 4.2 ± 1.1, P = 0.001) and were much more interested in food during feeding (85.8% vs. 59.3%). Caregiver responsiveness during feeding was also significantly higher among the positive deviant group (6.5 ± 0.8 vs. 4.5 ± 0.9, P = 0.001). This study has demonstrated the tremendous effect of caregiver feeding behaviours on child nutritional outcomes and provides a scientific basis for introducing care during feeding as a component of intervention to improve child nutritional status in Ghana.
Young child feeding practices and child nutritional status in rural Ghana
Authors: Nti Christina A. , Lartey Anna 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA study was conducted in the Manya Krobo district of Ghana with the objective of studying young child feeding practices and child nutrition situation in the area. The study was a cross‐sectional survey involving 400 mothers with young children between 0 and 18 months. A combination of methods, including structured interviews using questionnaire, dietary assessment and anthropometry, was used to collect data for the study. The data obtained were analysed using spss version 10 in Windows. Means and standard deviations were generated for continuous variables and frequency distribution for categorical variables. The results revealed that although breastfeeding rates were high (97%), complementary feeding practices were less than ideal with as many as 14% of the children being introduced to complementary foods below the age of 3 months. The nutritional quality of complementary foods were poor and the prevalence of stunting among the children was high (20%). For adequate complementary feeding and improved child nutrition in this population, nutrition education intervention programmes aimed at improving nutrient intake among young children, through improved diet diversity and increased use of local foods rich in iron and other nutrients, need to be undertaken.
Oxidative Stress as the Leading Cause of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Diabetics
Authors: Filippo Clara Di , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Rossi Francesco , Marfella Raffaele , D'Amico Michele 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTThe risk factors, such as hypertension and metabolic syndrome, tend to promote heart pathology. These risk factors can aggravate concomitant heart insults as well. Diabetes mellitus represents one of the most important risk factors for the development of heart pathology. By itself it represents a source of vascular and heart dysfunction through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can compromise the recovery from cardiovascular diseases. This review focuses on the evidence that cellular oxidative stress is the leading cause of the worst outcome of myocardial infarction (MI) in diabetics. Hyperglycemia is viewed in this article as the primary mediator of a cascade of heart damaging events, starting from ROS formation and leading to myocardial ischemia, inflammation and death of myocytes. This article also provides insights into why diverse therapeutic interventions, which have in common the ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, can impede or delay the onset of complications of myocardial infarction in diabetic patients.