bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Cells‐Compatible Microfluidic Device for Single Channel Recordings
Authors: Zanetti Manuela , Maniglio Devid , Fasoli Cristian , Pola Marco , Borga Elisa , Corradi Claudio , Dalla Serra Mauro , Iannotta Salvatore , Motta Antonella , Toccoli Tullio
Published: July 2014

We report the fabrication of a microfluidic apparatus and the realization of a sensors based on PEDOT : PSS, a biocompatible semiconductor polymer used in substitution of standard electrodes for electrophysiological studies and for detection of nanopores in membrane. This gives the possibility to study the mechanisms of ions balance and molecular transport though cell membranes. In particular the apparatus is based on two chambers connected through an aperture in a PTFE sheet where lipid bilayer are formed using Montal‐Mueller method, and the pore‐forming proteins activity is detected by polymeric electrodes. This methodology could be applied to examine different membrane proteins for the purpose of biosensing, drug screening and nanopore technologies.
Electrochemical Behavior of Glucose Oxidase Immobilized on Pd‐Nanoparticles Decorated Ionic Liquid Derived Fibrillated Mesoporous Carbon
Authors: Haghighi Behzad , Karimi Babak , Tavahodi Mojtaba , Behzadneia Hesam
Published: July 2014

Pd nanoparticles with an average diameter of 5 nm were decorated on the surface of ionic liquid derived fibrillated mesoporous carbon (IFMC) to prepare a novel nano‐hybrid material (Pd@IFMC). Thereafter, glucose oxidase was immobilized on Pd@IFMC modified glassy carbon electrode to fabricate an enzymatic glucose biosensor. A pair of well‐defined redox peaks was recorded for direct electron transfer of the immobilized glucose oxidase at the formal potential of − 0.418 V with a peak to peak separation of 25 mV. Electron transfer rate constant of was calculated to be 14.6 s−1. The response of fabricated biosensor was linear towards glucose concentration.
Sociocultural Risk Factors for Compulsive Exercise: A Prospective Study of Adolescents
Authors: Goodwin Huw , Haycraft Emma , Meyer Caroline
Published: July 2014

The risk factors for compulsive exercise are unknown. This study aims to explore longitudinal sociocultural risk factors for compulsive exercise, using a 12‐month prospective design. A sample of 332 male and female adolescents (aged 13–15 years at baseline) completed self‐report measures of sociocultural risk factors and compulsive exercise at baseline and eating disorder psychopathology and compulsive exercise at 12‐month follow‐up assessment. Hierarchical regressions found that family and peer messages to become more muscular predicted compulsive exercise in boys, whereas feeling pressure from the media to be thin was a significant predictor of compulsive exercise in girls. These relationships remained significant when controlling for eating disorder psychopathology but became nonsignificant when initial levels of compulsive exercise were entered into the model. The findings suggest that sociocultural risk factors may contribute to the development of compulsive exercise but future research should utilise a younger sample and employ a longer follow‐up period to identify true longitudinal effects. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
l‐carvone‐loaded nanofibrous membrane as a fragrance delivery system: fabrication, characterization and in vitro study
Authors: Ramamoorthy Manjula , Rajiv Sheeja
Published: July 2014

The present work reports the fabrication of a fragrance delivery system using nanofibres by an electrospinning method. Fragrant oils are volatile essential oils that easily undergo degradation and evaporation. Nanostructured fibres of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared by an electrospinning process. In this study, l‐carvone was used as a model fragrant oil, and it can be used as an air‐freshening agent. l‐carvone (5 wt%) loaded PVA solution (10 wt%) (C‐PVA) and PCL solution (13 wt%) (C‐PCL) were electrospun into nanofibres. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the incorporation of essential oil l‐carvone in PVA and PCL solution caused the resulting as‐spun fibre to be non‐uniform, and the average diameter was found to increase from 100–190 nm to 230–400 nm for the PVA mat and from 300–500 nm to 390–800 nm for the PCL mat. The functional group, crystallinity and thermal stability of prepared electrospun nanofibres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements. The degree of crystallinity of electrospun PVA, C‐PVA, PCL and C‐PCL was found to be 10.46%, 7.4%, 56.16% and 53.41% respectively. The in vitro release of l‐carvone from the prepared electrospun fibres was conducted at 30 ± 0.2°C for 24 h by both the encapsulation and imbibition methods. The maximum release of l‐carvone (5 wt%) was observed to be 61% and 64.1% from PVA nanofibres and 36% and 48.4% from PCL nanofibres by the encapsulation and imbibition methods respectively. These results show the potential of the prepared electrospun l‐carvone‐loaded PVA and PCL nanofibrous membrane in the fragrance delivery system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fermented sheepmeat sausage
Authors: Lu Yanjun , Young Owen A. , Brooks John D.
Published: July 2014

The aim of the study was to compare the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fermented, cured sausages made from equivalent muscle groups of beef, pork, and sheepmeat. The last has no commercial examples and represents an unexploited opportunity. Using seven replicates of shoulder meat and subcutaneous fat, sausages were made with 64%, 29%, 4%, 2%, 0.2%, and 0.01% of lean meat, fat, NaCl, glucose, sodium pyrophosphate, and lactic culture, respectively. Following anaerobic fermentation (96 h, 30°C), there were no significant differences between the species in mean texture (hardness, springiness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness) and pH, and only minor differences were seen in color. However, although not consumer tested, it is argued that consumers would be able to pick a texture difference due to different fat melting point ranges, highest for sheepmeat. This work was followed by a sensory experiment to find out if characteristic sheepmeat flavors could be suppressed to appeal to unhabituated consumers. To simulate a very strongly characteristic sheepmeat, beef sausage mixtures (above) were spiked, or not, with 4‐methyloctanoic, 4‐methylnonanoic acid, and skatole (5.0, 0.35, and 0.08 mg kg−1, respectively). Sodium nitrite (at 0.1 g kg−1) and a garlic/rosemary flavor were variably added to create a 23 factorial design. In a randomized design, 60 consumers found that spiked sheepmeat flavors caused an overall significant decrease in mean liking on a 1–9 scale (5.83 vs. 5.35, P = 0.003), but this was completely negated by the garlic/rosemary addition (5.18 vs. 6.00, P < 0.001). Nitrite had no effect on liking (5.61 vs. 5.58, P = 0.82), although nitrite might be included in commercial examples to minimize fat oxidation and suppress growth of clostridia. Thus, sheepmeat flavors could be suppressed to appeal to unhabituated consumers. Commercial examples could thus be made for these consumers, but the mandatory use of the name “mutton” in some markets would adversely affect prospects.
Impact of FDA Actions, DTCA, and Public Information on the Market for Pain Medication
Authors: Bradford W. David , Kleit Andrew N.
Published: July 2014

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most important classes of prescription drugs used by primary care physicians to manage pain. The NSAID class of products has a somewhat controversial history, around which a complex regulatory and informational environment has developed. This history includes a boxed warning mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all NSAIDs in 2005. We investigate the impact that various information shocks have had on the use of prescription medications for pain in primary care in the USA. We accomplish this by extracting data on nearly 600 000 patients from a unique nationwide electronic medical record database and estimate the probability of any active prescription for the four types of pain medications as a function of FDA actions, advertising, media coverage, and patient characteristics. We find that even after accounting for multiple sources of information, the FDA label changes and boxed warnings had a significant effect on pain medication prescribing. The boxed warning did not have the same impact on the use of all NSAID inhibitors. We find that the boxed warning reduced the use of NSAID COX‐2 inhibitor use, which was the focus of much of the press attention. In contrast, however, the warning actually increased the use of non‐COX‐2 NSAID inhibitors. Thus, the efficacy of the FDA's black box warning is clearly mixed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular dynamics simulations of ion solvation by flexible‐boundary QM/MM: On‐the‐fly partial charge transfer between QM and MM subsystems
Authors: Pezeshki Soroosh , Lin Hai
Published: July 2014

The flexible‐boundary (FB) quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) scheme accounts for partial charge transfer between the QM and MM subsystems. Previous calculations have demonstrated excellent performance of FB‐QM/MM in geometry optimizations. This article reports an implementation to extend FB‐QM/MM to molecular dynamics simulations. To prevent atoms from getting unreasonably close, which can lead to polarization catastrophe, empirical correcting functions are introduced to provide additive penalty energies for the involved atom pairs and to improve the descriptions of the repulsive exchange forces in FB‐QM/MM calculations. Test calculations are carried out for chloride, lithium, sodium, and ammonium ions solvated in water. Comparisons with conventional QM/MM calculations suggest that the FB treatment provides reasonably good results for the charge distributions of the atoms in the QM subsystems and for the solvation shell structural properties, albeit smaller QM subsystems have been used in the FB‐QM/MM dynamics simulations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inflammation‐Induced Downregulation of Butyrate Uptake and Oxidation Is Not Caused by a Reduced Gene Expression
Authors: Boesmans Leen , Ramakers Meine , Arijs Ingrid , Windey Karen , Vanhove Wiebe , Schuit Frans , Rutgeerts Paul , Verbeke Kristin , De Preter Vicky
Published: July 2014

In ulcerative colitis (UC) the butyrate metabolism is impaired, leading to energy‐deficiency in the colonic cells. The effect of inflammation on the butyrate metabolism was investigated. HT‐29 cells were incubated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α and/or IFN‐γ) for 1 and 24 h. Cells were additionally stimulated with butyrate to investigate its anti‐inflammatory potential. Butyrate uptake and oxidation were measured using 14C‐labeled butyrate. Gene expression of the butyrate metabolism enzymes, interleukin 8 (IL‐8; inflammatory marker) and villin‐1 (VIL‐1; epithelial cell damage marker) was measured via quantitative RT‐PCR. Significantly increased IL‐8 expression and decreased VIL‐1 expression after 24 h incubation with TNF‐α and/or IFN‐γ confirmed the presence of inflammation. These conditions induced a decrease of both butyrate uptake and oxidation, whereas the gene expression was not reduced. Simultaneous incubation with butyrate counteracted the reduced butyrate oxidation. In contrast, 1 h incubation with TNF‐α induced a significant increased IL‐8 expression and decreased butyrate uptake. Incubation with TNF‐α and/or IFN‐γ for 1 h did not induce cell damage nor influence butyrate oxidation. The inflammation‐induced downregulation of the butyrate metabolism was not caused by a reduced gene expression, but appeared consequential to a decreased butyrate uptake. Increasing the luminal butyrate levels might have therapeutic potential in UC. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 418–426, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
To drill or to chisel? A long‐term follow‐up study of 92 exostectomy procedures in the UK
Authors: Barrett George , Ronan Natalie , Cowan Ewen , Flanagan Philip
Published: July 2014

Laryngoscope, 125:453–456, 2015
A study of centrifugal cast high boron high speed steel
Authors: Qihong C. , Zhan‐Wen W. , Yi J. , Yehua J. , Fei L. , Hanguang F.
Published: July 2014

In the present study a high‐boron high speed steel (HSS) roll material was designed. Many expensive alloy elements have been substituted by cheap boron alloy, and high‐boron high speed steel roll has been manufactured by centrifugal casting method. The microstructures, mechanical properties and wear resistance of centrifugal casting high‐boron high speed steel roll have been investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, hardness test, impact test and wear test. The results indicated that the solidification microstructures of high‐boron high speed steel roll consisted of M2(B,C), (W,Mo)2(B,C), M3(B,C), M23(B,C)6 type borocarbides and martensite, a small amount of retained austenite. Borocarbides were continuously distributed over the grain boundary. After quenching from 1050 °C, local broken network appeared in partial borocarbides, and fine secondary borocarbide precipitated from the matrix. After tempering from 525 °C, the amount of precipitated borocarbide increased significantly. After heat treatment, the hardness of high‐boron high speed steel roll excelled 60 HRC, and its impact toughness excelled 8.0 J/cm2. The single groove steel rolling amount of high‐boron high speed steel rolls increases by 500% than that of bainite cast iron roll, when the rolls are used in K1 mill housing of bar mill.
Discovery of Potential, Non‐Toxic Influenza Virus Inhibitor by Computational Techniques
Authors: Karthick V. , Toropova Alla P. , Toropov Andrey A. , Ramanathan K.
Published: July 2014

Influenza infection continues to be a major problem in many parts of the world. Rimantadine is a first‐line drug used to treat the influenza infection by targeting M2 proton channel. However, S31N mutation in M2 proton channel diminishes the efficiency of rimantadine and creates resistance. To address this issue, the present study was aimed to screen the effective lead candidate against drug resistance strain of influenza from DrugBank database. Initially, the lead molecules were filtered using Lipinski rule of five and the drug likeliness property. Subsequently, the data reduction was carried out by employing molecular docking study. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations techniques were performed to validate the lead compound. Most importantly, the ‐p LD50 of the screened lead molecule was calculated using CORAL software to estimate the Rat oral toxicity. Accordingly, memantine may possibly become a promising lead compound of rimantadine‐resistant influenza virus strain.
Physiotherapists' Beliefs About Whiplash‐associated Disorder: A Comparison Between Singapore and Queensland, Australia
Authors: Ng Tze Siong , Pedler Ashley , Vicenzino Bill , Sterling Michele
Published: July 2014

Background and purpose

Healthcare providers' beliefs may play a role in the outcome of whiplash‐associated disorders (WAD), a condition which is proposed to be culturally dependent. Clinical practice guidelines recommend an active approach for the management of WAD, which is often delivered by physiotherapists. However, there is no data on physiotherapists' whiplash beliefs. Our primary objective was to determine physiotherapists' beliefs from Queensland (Australia) and Singapore, two cultures with differing prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain and chronic WAD.

Methods

A pen and paper survey of musculoskeletal physiotherapists practicing in Queensland and Singapore was conducted. Participants completed questionnaires consisting of patient vignettes and statements inquiring knowledge and attitudes towards WAD. Chi‐square tests of significance were used to compare the responses of physiotherapists from both samples.

Results

Ninety‐one (response rate 45%) Queensland‐based and 94 (response rate 98%) Singapore‐based physiotherapists participated in the study. The beliefs in the management strategies for the patient vignettes were generally consistent with practice guidelines. A higher proportion of Queensland‐based physiotherapists expected permanent disabilities for the patient vignette depicting chronic WAD (Queensland: 55% Singapore: 28% Pearson chi‐sq 18.76, p < 0.005).Up to 99% of the physiotherapists from both samples believed in encouragement of physical activity, the effectiveness of exercise and multimodal physiotherapy for WAD. Significantly higher proportions of Singapore‐based physiotherapists believed in ordering radiographs for acute WAD (Pearson chi‐sq 41.98, p < 0.001) and also believed in a psychogenic origin of chronic WAD (Pearson chi‐sq 22.57, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The majority of beliefs between physiotherapists in Queensland and Singapore were similar but there were specific differences. Physiotherapists' whiplash beliefs in Queensland and Singapore did not clearly reflect the difference in prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain or chronic WAD in Queensland and Singapore. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moderate, chronic ethanol feeding exacerbates carbon tetrachloride–induced hepatic fibrosis via hepatocyte‐specific hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α
Authors: Roychowdhury Sanjoy , Chiang Dian J. , McMullen Megan R. , Nagy Laura E.
Published: July 2014

The hypoxia‐sensing transcriptional factor HIF1α is implicated in a variety of hepato‐pathological conditions; however, the contribution of hepatocyte‐derived HIF1α during progression of alcoholic liver injury is still controversial. HIF1α induces a variety of genes including those involved in apoptosis via p53 activation. Increased hepatocyte apoptosis is critical for progression of liver inflammation, stellate cell activation, and fibrosis. Using hepatocyte‐specific HIF1α‐deficient mice (ΔHepHIF1α−/−), here we investigated the contribution of HIF1α to ethanol‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis and its role in amplification of fibrosis after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) exposure. Moderate ethanol feeding (11% of kcal) induced accumulation of hypoxia‐sensitive pimonidazole adducts and HIF1α expression in the liver within 4 days of ethanol feeding. Chronic CCl4 treatment increased M30‐positive cells, a marker of hepatocyte apoptosis in pair‐fed control mice. Concomitant ethanol feeding (11% of kcal) amplified CCl4‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis in livers of wild‐type mice, associated with elevated p53K386 acetylation, PUMA expression, and Ly6c+ cell infiltration. Subsequent to increased apoptosis, ethanol‐enhanced induction of profibrotic markers, including stellate cell activation, collagen 1 expression, and extracellular matrix deposition following CCl4 exposure. Ethanol‐induced exacerbation of hepatocyte apoptosis, p53K386 acetylation, and PUMA expression following CCl4 exposure was attenuated in livers of ΔHepHIF1α−/− mice. This protection was also associated with a reduction in Ly6c+ cell infiltration and decreased fibrosis in livers of ΔHepHIF1α−/− mice. In summary, these results indicate that moderate ethanol exposure leads to hypoxia/HIF1α‐mediated signaling in hepatocytes and induction of p53‐dependent apoptosis of hepatocytes, resulting in increased hepatic fibrosis during chronic CCl4 exposure.
High temperature electrical conductivity in hydrothermally grown ZnO
Authors: Lott K. , Nirk T. , Türn L. , Shinkarenko S. , Öpik A. , Kortunova E. , Shvanskiy P. , Gorokhova E. , Vishnjakov A.
Published: July 2014

Results of measurements of high temperature electrical conductivity (HTEC) in undoped hydrothermally grown ZnO single crystal are presented. HTEC measurements were made under the Zn component vapor pressure (up to 1 atm) and in the temperature range from 873 K to 1273 K. Reliable thermodynamic equilibrium in the ZnO crystal for HTEC measurements of isotherms and isobars was obtained at the temperatures higher than 873 K. Surprisingly slow chemical diffusion prolonged the high temperature measurement cycles continuously for several weeks. In our experiments the absolute value of HTEC in undoped hydrothermally grown ZnO was several orders of magnitude higher than HTEC in undoped ZnS. Slopes of HTEC isotherms varied with component vapor pressure and changed in the range from 0.2 to 0.4. For HTEC isobar in the temperature range from 1173 K to 1273 K it was found activation energy value 0.3‐0.4 eV at zinc vapour pressure 0.092 atm. Defect model for explanation of this high temperature experiment is discussed in connection with impurities. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Self‐Assembly of Ferromagnetic Organic–Inorganic Perovskite‐Like Films
Authors: Akhtar Naureen , Polyakov Alexey O. , Aqeel Aisha , Gordiichuk Pavlo , Blake Graeme R. , Baas Jacob , Amenitsch Heinz , Herrmann Andreas , Rudolf Petra , Palstra Thomas T. M.
Published: July 2014

Perovskite‐based organic–inorganic hybrids hold great potential as active layers in electronics or optoelectronics or as components of biosensors. However, many of these applications require thin films grown with good control over structure and thickness—a major challenge that needs to be addressed. The work presented here is an effort towards this goal and concerns the layer‐by‐layer deposition at ambient conditions of ferromagnetic organic–inorganic hybrids consisting of alternating CuCl4‐octahedra and organic layers. The Langmuir‐Blodgett technique used to assemble these structures provides intrinsic control over the molecular organization and film thickness down to the molecular level. Magnetic characterization reveals that the coercive field for these thin films is larger than that for solution‐grown layered bulk crystals. The strategy presented here suggests a promising cost effective route to facilitate the excellently controlled growth of sophisticated materials on a wide variety of substrates that have properties relevant for the high density storage media and spintronic devices.
Using System Archetypes to Identify Drivers and Barriers for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa: A Case Study in Ghana
Authors: Banson Kwamina Ewur , Nguyen Nam C. , Bosch Ockie J. H.
Published: July 2014

The African agricultural system is characterized by complex challenges such as famine, food insecurity, poor soil and quality standards, political instability, and inappropriate agricultural practices. The behavior over time graph revealed that as the African population increases, people explore new agricultural land that is in direct conflict with the conservation of forested areas, hence degrading the environment. These challenges in addition to the depletion of natural resources have worsened the plights of African farmers. The increasingly complex nature of the agricultural industry in Africa has necessitated an urgent need for the use of a systemic rather than a traditional approach in solving problems in agriculture. System archetypes were applied as diagnostic tools to anticipate potential problems and problem symptoms. Eleven system archetypes serve as the means for gaining insights into the underlying system structures from which the archetypal behaviors emerge. As part of a suite of tools, they are extremely valuable in developing broad understandings about agriculture and their environments and contribute to more effectively understanding the cause of a fix ‘now’ that gives rise to a much bigger problem to fix ‘later’. The study revealed that opportunity and risk matrix as a policy tool does not solve the problems, but systemic approach would lead to the provision of the right management strategies. This approach facilitates adaptation and mitigation strategies towards the sustainable development for the agriculture in Africa. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint density of eigenvalues in spiked multivariate models
Authors: Dharmawansa Prathapasinghe , Johnstone Iain M.
Published: July 2014

The classical methods of multivariate analysis are based on the eigenvalues of one or two sample covariance matrices. In many applications of these methods, for example, to high‐dimensional data, it is natural to consider alternative hypotheses that are a low‐rank departure from the null hypothesis. For rank 1 alternatives, this note provides a representation for the joint eigenvalue density in terms of a single contour integral. This will be of use for deriving approximate distributions for likelihood ratios and “linear” statistics used in testing. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When comes such another?
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: July 2014

It is no overstatement to say that international urology will never be quite the same. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons.
Presentation and management of STIs in men
Authors: Ma Richard
Published: July 2014

Richard Ma uses urology case histories to illustrate situations in which sexually transmitted infections may need to be considered, and explains how best‐practice guidance may be helpful for further management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons.
Disaster on Everest
Authors: Wallace Sophie
Published: July 2014

Sophie Wallace was at Everest base camp when, on 18 April, an avalanche struck, killing 16 Sherpas and wounding others. In this moving account, she describes the rescue attempts, the impressive medical response and the grimness of tending to those who were beyond help. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons.
Premature ejaculation: definition, epidemiology and treatment
Authors: Kirby Mike
Published: July 2014

Mike Kirby discusses how various definitions of premature ejaculation have made it difficult to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiology of the condition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons.
Aetiology and prevention of recurrent renal calculi
Authors: ElMahdy Motaz , Persad Raj
Published: July 2014

Factors that have the greatest impact on prevention of stone disease include advising patients to drink plenty of fluids, adopt a healthy lifestyle, reduce their risk of obesity and control diabetes and blood pressure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons.
Characterizing geomorphological change to support sustainable river restoration and management
Authors: Grabowski Robert C. , Surian Nicola , Gurnell Angela M.
Published: July 2014

The hydrology and geomorphology of most rivers has been fundamentally altered through a long history of human interventions including modification of river channels, floodplains, and wider changes in the landscape that affect water and sediment delivery to the river. Resultant alterations in fluvial forms and processes have negatively impacted river ecology via the loss of physical habitat, disruption to the longitudinal continuity of the river, and lateral disconnection between aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial ecosystems. Through a characterization of geomorphological change, it is possible to peel back the layers of time to investigate how and why a river has changed. Process rates can be assessed, the historical condition of rivers can be determined, the trajectories of past changes can be reconstructed, and the role of specific human interventions in these geomorphological changes can be assessed. To achieve this, hydrological, geomorphological, and riparian vegetation characteristics are investigated within a hierarchy of spatial scales using a range of data sources. A temporal analysis of fluvial geomorphology supports process‐based management that targets underlying problems. In this way, effective, sustainable management and restoration solutions can be developed that recognize the underlying drivers of geomorphological change, the constraints imposed on current fluvial processes, and the possible evolutionary trajectories and timelines of change under different future management scenarios. Catchment/river basin planning, natural flood risk management, the identification and appraisal of pressures, and the assessment of restoration needs and objectives would all benefit from a thorough temporal analysis of fluvial geomorphology.WIREs Water2014, 1:483–512. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1037

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
Sodium ion batteries: a newer electrochemical storage
Authors: Nithya C. , Gopukumar S.
Published: July 2014

Vehicle electrification is one of the most significant solutions that address the challenges of fossil fuel depletion, global warming, CO2 pollution, and so on. To mitigate these issues, recent research mainly focuses on finding clean energy storage devices such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and so forth. Owing to the outstanding energy and power density, lithium‐ion batteries (LIB) have captured the market for portable electronics, hybrid electric vehicles, plug‐in hybrid electric vehicles, and so on. During 1970–1980s, electrode materials for both LIBs and sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs) were investigated but higher energy and power density of LIBs have made it a popular candidate for portable electronics. Issues arise on the availability of lithium reserves, so it is high time we take a look at finding alternative energy storage system without compromising on the energy and power density of the state‐of‐the‐art LIBs. Therefore, researchers have revisited NIBs and recent developments have contributed towards discovering new electrode materials to match the energy and power density of LIBs at low cost. While a variety of positive and negative electrode materials have been investigated for NIBs so far, the influence of voltage, capacity, cycle life, and volume expansion of negative electrodes on Na+ ion extraction and insertion are more as compared with LIBs. This affects the energy and power density of NIBs but cost‐effective partial replacement of LIBs is viable and is widely pursued. WIREs Energy Environ 2015, 4:253–278. doi: 10.1002/wene.136

This article is categorized under:

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen > Science and Materials

Energy and Development > Science and Materials
Designing electricity markets for a high penetration of variable renewables
Authors: Riesz Jenny , Milligan Michael
Published: July 2014

Renewable technologies are often characterized as being somewhat different to ‘conventional’ generating technologies in three ways, each with different implications for electricity markets. Firstly, some have highly variable and somewhat uncertain availability, meaning that electricity markets must be designed to elicit adequate flexibility. Secondly, many have very low short‐run marginal costs (operating costs), meaning that the mechanisms for managing resource adequacy must be carefully considered. Thirdly, some are nonsynchronous, meaning that grid codes and regulatory requirements must be appropriately designed. Access to flexibility can be enhanced by a range of market design choices, such as short dispatch intervals, short delays from gate closure to dispatch, large balancing areas, high demand side participation, and exposing renewable technologies to market price signals commensurate with other technologies. The design of markets for frequency control ancillary services (FCAS) also provides opportunities to increase access to flexibility, by creating active real‐time markets for a wide range of FCAS, allowing renewable technologies to provide FCAS, and determining FCAS reserve requirements dynamically in real time. Mechanisms for managing resource adequacy are a source of ongoing debate, with many of the key issues having been exacerbated by the entry of renewables. Rapid market change makes investment decisions difficult, regardless of the market model applied. Ultimately, given the existence of arguably successful examples of both energy‐only and capacity market designs, the choice of market model may be less important than the quality of governance with which it is implemented and maintained. WIREs Energy Environ 2015, 4:279–289. doi: 10.1002/wene.137

This article is categorized under:

Energy Infrastructure > Economics and Policy

Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Systems Economics > Economics and Policy

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy
The intraspecies relationship between tissue turnover and metabolic rate in rats
Authors: Kraeer Kimberly , Arneson Lynne S. , E. MacAvoy Stephen
Published: July 2014

Ecologists interested in studying fluctuating relationships between consumers and nutrient sources are increasingly involved in modeling the rate at which consumers incorporate dietary components. In mammals a correlation between resting metabolic rate (RMR) and tissue turnover may exist across a range of species. Less is known about the variation of tissue turnover rate within a species, and how that correlates with RMR. Here we examine two strains of rats (Rattus norvegicus) with different RMR to test whether variation in RMR is positively correlated with tissue turnover rate within a species. If RMR, a relatively simple measurement, can be correlated with tissue turnover, then this relationship could be used to better interpret ecological functions, including impact of migratory or seasonally available nutrient sources. Here, the changing isotope signature in rat whole blood was modeled using a modified exponential decay equation and a reaction progress variable model. The modeled rate of turnover, metabolic rate (O2 consumed), and mass were then compared between strains of rats. The mass and RMRs (conditions during which RMRs were determined modified from the ideal, as outlined in the Methods) were significantly different between strains, but half‐life and the metabolic tissue replacement component of turnover (as opposed to turnover from mass gain) were not. No significant correlation was found between RMR and metabolic tissue replacement between the strains. Results suggest that within a species showing a range of RMRs, blood tissue turnover should not vary significantly.
Revision Surgery for Failed Cervical Spine Reconstruction
Authors: Koerner John D. , Kepler Christopher K. , Albert Todd J.
Published: July 2014

Background

As the number of cervical spine procedures performed continues to increase, the need for revision surgery is also likely to increase. Surgeons need to understand the etiology of post-surgical changes, as well as have a treatment algorithm when evaluating these complex patients.

Questions/Purposes

This study aims to review the rates and etiology of revision cervical spine surgery as well as describe our treatment algorithm.

Methods

We used a narrative and literature review. We performed a MEDLINE (PubMed) search for “cervical” and “spine” and “revision” which returned 353 articles from 1993 through January 22, 2014. Abstracts were analyzed for relevance and 32 articles were reviewed.

Results

The rates of revision surgery on the cervical spine vary by the type and extent of procedure performed. Patient evaluation should include a detailed history and review of the indication for the index procedure, as well as lab work to rule out infection. Imaging studies including flexion/extension radiographs and computed tomography are obtained to evaluate potential pseudarthrosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is helpful to evaluate the disc, neural elements, soft tissue, and to differentiate scar from infection. Sagittal alignment should be corrected if necessary.

Conclusions

Recurrent or new symptoms after cervical spine reconstruction can be effectively treated with revision surgery after identifying the etiology, and completing the appropriate workup.
smFRET studies of the ‘encounter’ complexes and subsequent intermediate states that regulate the selectivity of ligand binding
Authors: Kinz-Thompson Colin D. , Gonzalez Ruben L.
Published: July 2014

The selectivity with which a biomolecule can bind its cognate ligand when confronted by the vast array of structurally similar, competing ligands that are present in the cell underlies the fidelity of some of the most fundamental processes in biology. Because they collectively comprise one of only a few methods that can sensitively detect the ‘encounter’ complexes and subsequent intermediate states that regulate the selectivity of ligand binding, single‐molecule fluorescence, and particularly single‐molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET), approaches have revolutionized studies of ligand‐binding reactions. Here, we describe a widely used smFRET strategy that enables investigations of a large variety of ligand‐binding reactions, and discuss two such reactions, aminoacyl‐tRNA selection during translation elongation and splice site selection during spliceosome assembly, that highlight both the successes and challenges of smFRET studies of ligand‐binding reactions. We conclude by reviewing a number of emerging experimental and computational approaches that are expanding the capabilities of smFRET approaches for studies of ligand‐binding reactions and that promise to reveal the mechanisms that control the selectivity of ligand binding with unprecedented resolution.
Phosphorylation of myofibrillogenesis regulator‐1 activates the MAPK signaling pathway and induces proliferation and migration in human breast cancer MCF7 cells
Authors: Gong Yuyan , He Hongwei , Liu Hong , Zhang Caixia , Zhao Wuli , Shao Rong-guang
Published: July 2014

Myofibrillogenesis regulator‐1 (MR‐1) has been characterized as a tumor promoter in many cancers. However, its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that MR‐1 is overexpressed in human breast cancer cells and participates in tumor promotion in human breast cancer MCF7 cells by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. MR‐1 interacts with MEK1/2 and ERK1, and its N‐terminal sequence plays a major role in promoting the MEK/ERK cascade. Furthermore, six phosphorylation sites of MR‐1 were identified, and phosphorylation at S46 was shown to be critical for the activation of MEK/ERK. Therefore, our findings suggest that MR‐1 functions as a tumor promoter in MCF7 cells by activating the MEK/ERK signaling.
Factors associated with the use of prenatal corticosteroids in the management of preterm delivery in Chinese hospitals
Authors: Wang Xi , Vogel Joshua P. , Kang Chu‐yun , Gao Yan‐qiu , Ao Deng , Pang Ru‐yan , Wang Yan
Published: July 2014

Objective

To assess the prevalence of the use of prenatal corticosteroids (PCS) in the management of preterm delivery and the factors associated with PCS administration.

Methods

A secondary analysis was performed of a cross‐sectional study conducted in 21 Chinese healthcare facilities between November 2010 and January 2011. The medical records of women who delivered preterm were reviewed. Associations between PCS administration and individual and organizational‐level factors were determined.

Results

The study population comprised 659 women who delivered at 20 facilities. PCS were given to 158 (68.1%) of 232 women delivering after 27–34 weeks of pregnancy and 119 (27.9%) of 427 delivering after 35–36 weeks. Teenaged girls were less likely to receive PCS after 27–34 weeks than were women aged 20–35 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07–0.70). Among women who delivered after 35–36 weeks, the odds of receiving PCS were lower in urban hospitals than in periurban or rural hospitals (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.00–0.44), and there was significant hospital‐level variance with regard to the administration of PCS (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Generally, PCS were underprescribed to women at risk of preterm delivery and many women received the treatment after 35–36 weeks of pregnancy, when it might not have been effective.
Automation of the Elispot Technique: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Janetzki Sylvia
Published: July 2014

The Elispot technique has gained much attention over the past few years. Its outstanding sensitivity and general ease of performance has made it one of the most attractive assay candidates for immunomonitoring purposes, including vaccine development and vaccine trials in various phases, diagnostics, and basic research. The demands of the market call for a simplified and automated technique in order to enhance areas of use. This paper describes past and present developments addressing the automation and standardization demands for the Elispot and indirectly connected techniques.
Automating Procedures for Processing, Cryopreservation, Storage, and Manipulation of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Cox Josephine H. , Ferrari Guido , Bailer Robert T. , Koup Richard A.
Published: July 2014

Cell-mediated immune responses have been found to play a crucial role in the protection from, or amelioration of, many human diseases. There are many vaccine trials being conducted where the most important immune assessment consists of measuring T cell responses. The most readily accessible source of T cells is the peripheral blood. Thus, collection, processing, cryopreservation, storage, and manipulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are all key steps for assessment of vaccine and disease-induced immune responses. Automation of these procedures is not currently practiced widely. This article reviews current practices and explores the need for automation.
THE TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE ON JUNE 16, 2011: A KEY TO DATING THE YIN LUNAR ECLIPSE IN YINGCANG 885/886
Authors: Liu Xueshun
Published: July 2014

Based upon current knowledge of the Yin Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, this article argues that potential inscriptional records of the total lunar eclipse on June 16, 2011, which was observable in Beijing, could only be the same as those of the lunar eclipse recorded in Yingcang 885/886 and that lunar eclipse inscriptions on those two rubbings of Yingcang were records of an eclipse like the one on June 16, 2011. Both eclipses began sometime after midnight and ended shortly after sunrise. Between 1400 b.c.e. and 1148 b.c.e., only the lunar eclipse on August 14, 1166 b.c.e. could match the time and ganzhi dates of the eclipse in Yingcang 885/886. In 1998, Chang Yuzhi and I independently put forward this view. In this article, I reach the same conclusion by means of an innovative method.
Successful detection, expression and purification of the alternatively spliced truncated Sm14 antigen of an Egyptian strain ofSchistosoma mansoni
Authors: Ewaisha R.E. , Bahey-El-Din M. , Mossallam S.F. , Khalil A.M. , Aboushleib H.M.
Published: July 2014

Schistosoma mansonicauses intestinal schistosomiasis, a disease that is prevalent in several regions worldwide. To date, a protective vaccine againstS. mansoniis still lacking. Several promising antigens have been discovered and evaluated for vaccine protection, such as Sm14 and Sm28GST. In this short communication, we report the successful detection of an alternatively spliced truncated form of Sm14 which was highly expressed in an Egyptian strain ofS. mansoni. This truncated Sm14 (TrSm14) protein was formerly reported to be practically non-existent and its complementary DNA (cDNA) was thought to be ‘a rare misprocessing of mRNA precursor’. Our finding demonstrates that there is inter-strain variation in theS. mansonitranscriptome and subsequently in the role/function of the expressed proteins. We expressed TrSm14 successfully inEscherichia colias a fusion protein with the schistosomal antigen Sm28GST. The fusion protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography and was found to be reactive with serum fromS. mansoni-infected patients. This suggests a possible diagnostic value for this protein in detection of anti-schistosomal antibodies. In addition, this fusion protein could offer a potential bivalent vaccine candidate againstS. mansonithat is worthy of further investigation.
A study of the use of fuzzy control theory to stabilize the gait of biped robots
Authors: Lee Hai-Wu
Published: July 2014

This paper designs a biped robot to perform appropriate walking exercises according to the terrain, which then walks stably on a flat environment. The concept of fuzzy logic is combined with the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller theory to design the best method to allow the biped robot system to have a balanced and stable gait. Traditional controllers are designed using mathematical models of physical systems, but a fuzzy controller is a physical system that uses an inexact mathematical model, which involves sets and membership functions. Fuzzy controllers use fuzzification, fuzzy control rules, and defuzzification. The method and theory of control: A stable gait for robots is achieved using inverse kinematics, fuzzy concepts, the LQR controller theory, path design, and the characteristics of a dynamic equation. It is then simulated using mathematical tools to prove that the system eliminates swinging by biped robots without fuzzy control knowing beforehand the dynamic model the system is using. Proportional-Integral-Differential control achieves a stable gait design in a flat environment.
Governing Art Districts: State Control and Cultural Production in Contemporary China
Authors: Zhang Yue
Published: July 2014

Contemporary Chinese artists have long been marginalized in China as their ideas conflict with the mainstream political ideology. In Beijing, artists often live on the fringe of society in “artist villages,” where they almost always face the threat of being displaced owing to political decisions or urban renewal. However, in the past decade, the Chinese government began to foster the growth of contemporary Chinese arts and designated underground artist villages as art districts. This article explores the profound change in the political decisions about the art community. It argues that, despite the pluralization of Chinese society and the inroads of globalization, the government maintains control over the art community through a series of innovative mechanisms. These mechanisms create a globalization firewall, which facilitates the Chinese state in global image-building and simultaneously mitigates the impact of global forces on domestic governance. The article illuminates how the authoritarian state has adopted more sophisticated methods of governance in response to the challenges of a more sophisticated society.
Blue, Green or Aquamarine? Taiwan and the Status Quo Preference in Cross-Strait Relations
Authors: Huang Chin-Hao , James Patrick
Published: July 2014

Debates about whether China's rise poses a threat or an opportunity for Taiwan have settled into a realist assumption that Beijing will continue to upset the balance of power and a liberal approach that believes the benefits of economic interdependence are leading to greater gains. Missing from this debate is a nuanced consideration of how Taiwan's policy elites view themselves and their position in cross-Strait relations. Taiwan's decision makers' views are deeply affected by, and interact with, factors and institutions on and beyond the island. This article offers a model of political processes – the staying power of the status quo and order of movement – as a possible route towards an explanation for Taiwan's position on cross-Strait negotiations. The conclusion is that the status quo position – de facto but not de jure independence – is becoming more entrenched with time. Taiwan's colours of partisanship, Blue and Green, are blending into Aquamarine.