bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Highly‐efficient Cd‐free CuInS2 thin‐film solar cells and mini‐modules with Zn(S,O) buffer layers prepared by an alternative chemical bath process
Authors: Ennaoui A. , Bär M. , Klaer J. , Kropp T. , Sáez‐Araoz R. , Lux‐Steiner M. Ch. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractRecent progress in fabricating Cd‐ and Se‐free wide‐gap chalcopyrite thin‐film solar devices with Zn(S,O) buffer layers prepared by an alternative chemical bath process (CBD) using thiourea as complexing agent is discussed. Zn(S,O) has a larger band gap (Eg = 3·6–3·8 eV) than the conventional buffer material CdS (Eg = 2·4 eV) currently used in chalcopyrite‐based thin films solar cells. Thus, Zn(S,O) is a potential alternative buffer material, which already results in Cd‐free solar cell devices with increased spectral response in the blue wavelength region if low‐gap chalcopyrites are used. Suitable conditions for reproducible deposition of good‐quality Zn(S,O) thin films on wide‐gap CuInS2 (‘CIS’) absorbers have been identified for an alternative, low‐temperature chemical route. The thickness of the different Zn(S,O) buffers and the coverage of the CIS absorber by those layers as well as their surface composition were controlled by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy. The minimum thickness required for a complete coverage of the rough CIS absorber by a Zn(S,O) layer deposited by this CBD process was estimated to ∼15 nm. The high transparency of this Zn(S,O) buffer layer in the short‐wavelength region leads to an increase of ∼1 mA/cm2 in the short‐circuit current density of corresponding CIS‐based solar cells. Active area efficiencies exceeding 11·0% (total area: 10·4%) have been achieved for the first time, with an open circuit voltage of 700·4 mV, a fill factor of 65·8% and a short‐circuit current density of 24·5 mA/cm2 (total area: 22·5 mA/cm2). These results are comparable to the performance of CdS buffered reference cells. First integrated series interconnected mini‐modules on 5 × 5 cm2 substrates have been prepared and already reach an efficiency (active area: 17·2 cm2) of above 8%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Annealing effects on the photoresponse of TiO2 nanotubes
Authors: Ghicov Andrei , Tsuchiya Hiroaki , Macak Jan M. , Schmuki Patrik 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe present work investigates the influence of different annealing treatments on the photoresponse of electrochemically formed TiO2 nanotubes. The “as prepared” TiO2 nanotube layers have an amorphous structure and show a comparably low photocurrent magnitude. Annealing the tubes in air or dry Ar at 450 °C converts the structure to anatase and increases strongly the photocurrent conversion efficiencies. Significant differences between annealing in air and in dry Ar were found. Annealing in Ar results in green layers that show lower photon to current efficiencies than the layers annealed in air. Extended annealing in Ar at 450 °C leads to morphological changes of the nanotube structure. These differences in the behaviour (photoresponse and mechanical stability) are attributed to the reductive nature of the Ar environment (leading to a partial reduction and vacancy formation). (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
csp2B: A Practical Approach to Combining CSP and B
Authors: Butler Michael 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.
This paper describes the tool csp2B, which provides a means of combining CSP-like descriptions with standard B specifications. The notation of CSP provides a convenient way of describing the order in which the operations of a B machine may occur. The function of the tool is to convert CSP-like specifications into standard machine-readable B specifications, which means that they may be animated and appropriate proof obligations may be generated. Use of csp2B means that abstract specifications and refinements may be specified purely using CSP or using a combination of CSP and B. The translation is justified in terms of an operational semantics.
Evolutionary and population dynamics of host–parasitoid interactions
Authors: Tuda M. , Bonsall Michael B. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe role of evolutionary dynamics in understanding host–parasitoid interactions is interlinked with the population dynamics of these interactions. Here, we address the problems in coupling evolutionary and population dynamics of host–parasitoid interactions. We review previous theoretical and empirical studies and show that evolution can alter the ecological dynamics of a host–parasitoid interaction. Whether evolution stabilizes or destabilizes the interaction depends on the direction of evolutionary changes, which are affected by ecological, physiological, and genetic details of the insect biology. We examine the effect of life history correlations on population persistence and stability, embedding two types, one of which is competitively inferior but superior in encapsulation (for parasitoid, virulence), in a Nicholson–Bailey model with intraspecific resource competition for host. If a trade‐off exists between intraspecific competitive ability and encapsulation (or virulence, as a countermeasure) in both the host and parasitoid, the trade‐off or even positive correlation in the parasitoid is less influential to ecological stability than the trade‐off in the host. We comment on the bearing this work has on the broader issues of understanding host–parasitoid interactions, including long‐term biological control.
An experimental analysis of the relationship between species combination and community persistence
Authors: Mitsunaga T. , Fujii Koichi 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAmong many stabilizing factors for community dynamics, nonlinear biological interactions such as type III functional response have been widely considered to be major characteristics. However, most experimental biological communities employed so far had quite simple structures. Therefore, the possibility that the conclusions in earlier studies were dependent on simple community structure is undeniable. In this study, using a multiple‐species experimental community, we evaluated which combinations of component species and what kinds of interspecific interactions allow communities to persist and how these contribute to community persistence. We conducted experimental communities using two species of beans, the adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) and the red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), two species of bean weevils, the Mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus, Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and adzuki bean weevil (Callosobruchus chinensis, Coleoptera: Bruchidae), and two species of parasitic wasp, Heterospilus prosopidis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). The outcome of multiple‐generation experimental communities was explained by the characteristics of component species obtained from short‐term experiments. In our two resources–two herbivores–one carnivore system, the strong density‐dependent attack ability of one parasitic wasp species (A. calandrae) led to the extinction of C. chinensis. On the other hand, the weak density‐dependent attack ability of the other parasitic wasp species (H. prosopidis) led to system persistence. Our overall results show that, in a multiple‐species community, the combination of species itself is more important for community persistence than are the characteristics of the particular species.
Patterns in the structure of grassland butterfly communities along a gradient of human disturbance: further analysis based on the generalist/specialist concept
Authors: Kitahara M. , Sei K. , Fujii K. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractKitahara and Fujii, in 1994, analyzed the butterfly communities along a gradient of human disturbance by applying the generalist/specialist concept. Butterfly species were classified into generalist or specialist species based on their voltinism (seasonal time dimension) and potential larval resource breadth (food dimension). The community structure and species composition showed the systematic changes along the gradient. To verify the generality of those trends, we monitored five grassland butterfly communities with varying degrees of human disturbance twice a month during 1985 by the line transect method at the foot of Mt. Fuji, central Japan, and analyzed their structure in a manner similar to that employed by Kitahara and Fujii. Most results were consistent with the patterns recognized by Kitahara and Fujii. The route (community) order based on increasing human disturbance was strongly and negatively correlated with butterfly species richness but with neither butterfly species diversity (H′) nor evenness (J′). Also, the degree of human disturbance was significantly and negatively correlated with the number of specialist species, but not with that of generalists, in a community. Butterfly species richness was more strongly correlated with the number of specialist species than with that of generalists. Our analyses also showed that the generalist species were distributed more widely over the communities than were the specialists. However, in contrast to the trend revealed by Kitahara and Fujii, there was no significant difference in the population densities and in the spatial population variability between the two species groups. As a whole, our analyses confirmed the consistency of most community patterns detected by Kitahara and Fujii. The causes of the inconsistencies in some patterns were thought to be mainly the present habitat conditions with a relatively short growing season at high altitudes.
Effects of nonhost and host plants on insect herbivory covarying with plant size in the cruciferous plant Turritis glabra
Authors: Masumoto T. , Sunahara T. , Suzuki N. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractCorrelation between plant size and reproductive output may be modified by herbivory in accordance with host plant density and the presence of nonhost plants. To elucidate the effects of nonhost plant density and host plant density on the intensity of herbivory and reproductive output of the host plant in relation to plant size under natural conditions, we investigated the abundance of three lepidopteran insects, Plutella maculipennis, Anthocharis scolymus, and Pieris rapae the intensity of herbivory, and fruit set of their host plant, Turritis glabra (Cruciferae). To elucidate the effects of nonhost and host plant density, we selected four categories of plots under natural conditions: low density of nonhost and high density of host plants; low density of both nonhost and host plants; high density of both nonhost and host plants; and high density of nonhost and low density of host plants. The plant size indicated by stem diameter was a good predictor of the abundance of all herbivorous species. The effects of density of nonhost and host plants on the abundance of insects varied among species and stages of insects. As the abundance of insects affected the intensity of herbivory, herbivory was more apparent on larger host plants in plots with low density of both nonhost and host plants. Consequently, the correlation between plant size and the number of fruits disappeared in low plots with density of both nonhost and host plants. In this T. glabra– herbivorous insect system, the density of nonhost plants and host plants plays an important role in modifying the relationship between plants and herbivores under natural conditions.
Should aphids attract or repel ants? Effect of rival aphids and extrafloral nectaries on ant–aphid interactions
Authors: Sakata H. , Hashimoto Y. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAmong plants and herbivores, two types of conflicts occur in relation to mutualism with ants: one is competition for ant mutualism among myrmecophilous herbivores and plants, and the other is the conflict whether to attract or repel ants between myrmecophiles and nonmyrmecophiles that are damaged by ants. We investigated the extent to which two species of aphids (Megoura crassicauda and Aphis craccivora) and extrafloral nectaries on their host plant (Vicia faba var. minor) interact with one another for their relationships with ants. We designed an experiment where ants can choose to visit seedlings colonized by (1) M. crassicauda, (2) A. cracivora, (3) both aphid species, or (4) neither aphid species. Ants preferred A. craccivora to extrafloral nectaries and avoided tending M. crassicauda. We also analyzed the population growth of each aphid when it coexists with (1) ants, (2) the other aphid species, (3) ants and the other aphid species, or (4) neither of them. Under ant‐free conditions, we detected an exploitative competition between the two aphid species. The ants had no significant effect on the population of A. craccivora, whereas they had negative effects on the population growth of M. crassicauda by attacking some individuals. When both aphids coexisted, M. crassicauda suffered ant attack more intensely because A. craccivora attracted more ants than extrafloral nectaries despite ant‐repelling by M. crassicauda. On the other hand, the ants benefited A. craccivora by eliminating its competitor. To avoid ant attack, aphids may have been selected either to be more attractive to ants than other sympatric sugar sources or to repel the ants attracted to them. We hypothesize that competition among sympatric sugar sources including rival aphids and extrafloral nectaries is a factor restricting aphids to be myrmecophilous.
Causes of cyclicity of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera, Geometridae): grandiose theory and tedious practice
Authors: Ruohomäki K. , Tanhuanpää M. , Ayres M. P. , Kaitaniemi P. , Tammaru T. , Haukioja E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractCreating multiyear cycles in population density demands, in traditional models, causal factors that operate on local populations in a density‐dependent way with time lags. However, cycles of the geometrid Epirrita autumnata in northern Europe may be regional, not local; i.e., successive outbreaks occur in different localities. We review possible causes of cycles of E. autumnata under both local and regional scenarios, including large‐scale synchrony. Assuming cyclicity is a local phenomenon, individual populations of E. autumnata display peaks but populations all over the outbreak range fluctuate in synchrony. This concept assumes that the peaks at most localities are so low that they do not lead to visible defoliation and easily remain unnoticed. In this scenario, populations are able to start recovery a few years after the crash, i.e., at the time of the mitigation of detrimental delayed density‐dependent factors, such as delayed inducible resistance of the host plant or parasitism. In that case, the same factors that lead to crashes also explain the periodicity of cyclic fluctuations. According to the regional cyclicity scenario, different factors can be important in different phases of the cycle. The key is to identify the factors that tend to produce outbreaks with a periodicity of about 10 years. Initiation of the increase phase seems to coincide with maxima in sunspot activity, but causal connections remain unclear. Climatic factor(s) associated with the solar cycle could contribute to the large‐scale geographic synchrony.
Function of “Nontrauma” Surgeons in Level I Trauma Centers in the United States
Authors: Pate James W. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAlthough the general “trauma” surgeon is usually the team leader in level I trauma centers, the use of
surgical subspecialists and nonsurgeons is frequently ill‐defined. This
study was done to gain data in regard to actual use of subspecialists
in busy centers. First, a survey of the patterns of staffing in 140 trauma centers was elicited by mail questionnaire, supplemented by
telephone calls. Second, records of 400 consecutive patients at the
Elvis Presley Trauma Center were reviewed to determine the use of
subspecialists during the first 24 hours of care of individual
patients. There were differences in the use of surgical subspecialists
and nonsurgeons at different centers: in receiving, admitting, operating, and critical care areas and in privileges for admission and
attending of inpatients. Consultation “guidelines” are used for
many specific injuries. At our center, a mean of 1.92 subspecialists, in addition to general surgeons, were involved in the early care of
each patient. Problems exist in many centers regarding the use of
subspecialists, especially for management of facial and chest injuries. In some centers nonsurgeons function in the intensive care unit, and as
admitting and attending physicians of trauma patients.
Predictive Factors for Conversion of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Alponat Ahmet , Kum Cheng K. , Koh Bee C. , Rajnakova Andrea , Goh Peter M.Y. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractReliable predictive factors for conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) would be extremely useful in the preparation and planning of admission for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis. Data from 783 patients in whom LC was attempted in a university clinic from June 1990 to December 1995 were retrospectively analyzed. The aim of this study was to determine preoperative indicators that can be useful for predicting conversion to open cholecystectomy (OC). Conversion was required in 58 (7.4%) patients, of which 48 (83%) were elective and 10 (17%) emergency. Factors evaluated were age, sex, obesity, duration of gallstone disease, co‐morbid factors, indication for surgery, previous abdominal surgery, fever, physical examination findings, white blood cell (WBC)
count, liver function tests, ultrasound findings, and the experience of the surgeon. Acute cholecystitis, rigidity in the right upper abdomen, fever, thickened gallbladder wall on ultrasonography, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), liver transaminases and the WBC count were significant predictors of conversion in the univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis on these significant predictors showed that acute cholecystitis [odds ratio (OR) = 3.12], thickened gallbladder wall on ultrasonography (OR = 3.75), elevated ALP (OR = 2.23), and WBC count (OR = 3.69) were jointly significant.
Antibiotic Administration in Patients Undergoing Common Surgical Procedures in a Community Teaching Hospital: The Chaos Continues
Authors: Gorecki Piotr , Schein Moshe , Rucinski James C. , Wise Leslie 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.The influence of recently published guidelines by the Surgical Infection Society (SIS) on current surgical practice are not well documented. The appropriateness of antibiotic administration in a cohort of surgical patients undergoing elective and emergency surgery in a department of surgery in an urban, community‐based, private, 560‐bed teaching hospital was retrospectively reviewed. The following were the criteria defining administration as appropriate as modified from SIS guidelines: Prophylactic use: (1) started prior to operation; (2) spectrum appropriate to the specific operation; (3) duration ≤ 24 hours. Therapeutic use: (1) started prior to operation; (2) spectrum appropriate to pathology; (3) Duration ≤ 24 hours for contamination or “resectable” infection and ≤ 5 days for established infection in the absence of clinical evidence of persisting infection. Any switchover from an appropriate agent to another appropriate or inappropriate agent in the same patient in the absence of microbiologic or clinical indication was considered inappropriate administration. We reviewed the charts of 211 randomly selected patients who underwent elective (n= 132) or emergency (n= 79) procedures during 1996. The operations included gastrectomy (n= 22), appendectomy (n= 27), open (n= 5) or laparoscopic (n= 27) cholecystectomy, colectomy (n= 28), hysterectomy (n= 8), laparotomy for intestinal obstruction (n= 11), mastectomy (n= 26), and ventral hernia repair (n= 37). A total of 17 antibiotics were used for prophylaxis and 21 for therapy. In 156 patients (74%) the administration was considered inappropriate. Eight patients in the inappropriate group developed diarrhea (two cases of Clostridium difficile‐induced colitis) compared to two cases of diarrhea in the appropriate group (nonsignificant). The average duration of administration after elective and emergency operations was 3.3 and 5.7 days, respectively. The total expense for excessive duration of administration was $18,533. Many surgeons are not familiar with the spectrum of antimicrobials and often do not distinguish between prophylactic and therapeutic administration. Antibiotic usage in current surgical practice is often inappropriate, excessive, and chaotic.
Management of Nonpalpable, Mammographically Detectable Breast Lesions
Authors: Markopoulos Christos , Kakisis John , Kouskos Stratos , Kontzoglou Konstantinos , Koufopoulos Konstantinos , Gogas John 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.A series of 151 women underwent 156 preoperative localizations of nonpalpable, mammographically detected breast lesions. Indications for biopsy were (1) a cluster of more than five fine microcalcifications; (2) a solid lump found by ultrasound investigation; and (3) a radiologic abnormality of the breast parenchyma. The lesions were localized preoperatively using the hook‐wire method (Frank needle), and all biopsies were performed under general anesthesia. Carcinoma was discovered in 34 (21.8%) cases; in 22 (64.7%) it was a noninvasive cancer (9 with microinvasions) and in 12 (35.3%) an invasive carcinoma with a mean tumor diameter of 0.8 cm. The highest malignancy rate was found among those with microcalcifications (21 of 81 cancers, or 25.9%). Lymph node involvement was seen in 25% of patients with invasive carcinomas. In conclusion, the needle localization of nonpalpable breast lesions is a simple, accurate method for early detection of small cancers with favorable prognosis.
Expression of Pepsinogen C in Gynecomastias and Male Breast Carcinomas
Authors: Serra Díaz Carlos , Vizoso Francisco , Rodríguez Juan C. , Merino Antonio M. , González Luis O. , Baltasar Aniceto , Pérez‐Vázquez María T. , Medrano Justo 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.Pepsinogen C is a proteolytic enzyme involved in the digestion of proteins in the stomach; it is also synthesized by a significant percentage of female breast carcinomas. In addition, it has been demonstrated that pepsinogen C is one of the few proteins induced by androgens in breast carcinoma cells. Here we evaluate the expression of pepsinogen C by immunoperoxidase staining in normal breast tissue from 3 male patients, 15 gynecomastia tissues, 2 male in situ breast carcinomas, and 68 male invasive breast carcinomas. Pepsinogen C immunostaining values were quantified in male breast tumors using the HSCORE system, which considers both the intensity and the percentage of cells staining at each intensity. The results indicated positive immunohistochemical staining for pepsinogen C in all gynecomastia tissues, the two in situ ductal carcinomas, and 52 of 68 invasive breast carcinomas (76.4%). The three normal breast tissues analyzed showed negative staining for pepsinogen C, whereas invasive tumors showed clear differences among them with regard to the intensity and percentage of staining cells. In addition, pepsinogen C scores were significantly higher in well‐differentiated (grade I, 188.7) and moderately differentiated (grade II, 145.8) tumors than in poorly differentiated (grade III, 98.5) tumors (p= 0.032). Similarly, significant differences in pepsinogen C content were found between estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive tumors and ER‐negative tumors (158.5 vs. 44.3, respectively; p= 0.009). Patients with pepsinogen C‐positive tumors reached longer relapse‐free and overall survival periods than did those with tumors with negative staining, but no statistical differences were observed between survival curves calculated for these two groups of patients. This results demonstrate expression of pepsinogen C by gynecomastias and by a high percentage of male breast carcinomas and may indicate an important role of pepsinogen C in the pathophysiology of male breast diseases.