bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the future: Is it possible for adiabatically time-varying nonlinear dynamical systems?
Authors: Yang Rui , Lai Ying-Cheng , Grebogi Celso
Published: August 2012

Nonlinear dynamical systems in reality are often under environmental influences that are time-dependent. To assess whether such a system can perform as desired or as designed and is sustainable requires forecasting its future states and attractors based solely on time series. We propose a viable solution to this challenging problem by resorting to the compressive-sensing paradigm. In particular, we demonstrate that, for a dynamical system whose equations are unknown, a series expansion in both dynamical and time variables allows the forecasting problem to be formulated and solved in the framework of compressive sensing using only a few measurements. We expect our method to be useful in addressing issues of significant current concern such as the sustainability of various natural and man-made systems.
Influence of electron scatterings on thermoelectric effect
Authors: Li Jing , Cheung Au Yeung Tin , Hin Kam Chan
Published: August 2012

In this work, we employed non-equilibrium Green’s function to investigate the electron transport properties in a nanowire in the presence of scatterings. The scattering mechanism is modelled by the Büttiker probe. The effect of electron scattering is analyzed under three conditions: absence of external field; with a bias voltage; and with a finite temperature difference. It is found that weak and strong scattering strengths affect the electron transport in different ways. In the case of weak scattering strength, electron trapping increases the electron density, thereby boosting the conductance significantly. Although the increment in conductance would reduce the Seebeck coefficient slightly, the power factor still increases. In the case of strong scattering strength, electron diffraction causes the redistribution of electrons; accumulation of electrons at the ends of the wire blocks current flow; hence the conductance is reduced significantly. Although the Seebeck coefficient increases slightly, the power factor still decreases. The power factor is enhanced by 6%−18%, at the optimum scattering strength.
Ni59.0Mn23.5In17.5 Heusler alloy as the core of glass-coated microwires: Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect
Authors: Vega V. , González L. , García J. , Rosa W. O. , Serantes D. , Prida V. M. , Badini G. , Varga R. , Suñol J. J. , Hernando B.
Published: August 2012

Heusler Ni59.0Mn23.5In17.5 alloy was prepared as the metallic core of a glass-coated microwire with a total diameter of 41.8 μm. X-ray diffractograms performed at room temperature and 100 K show a highly ordered L21 cubic structure characteristic of the austenitic phase in Heusler alloys. Thermomagnetic curves measured in the temperature range from 50 K up to 400 K show ferromagnetic coupling in the austenite with the Curie temperature around 246 K. Hysteresis loops measured at different temperatures indicate a soft ferromagnetic behaviour, confirming the microwire axis as the magnetization easy direction. The magnetic entropy variation reaches a maximum value of 1.75 J/kgK at the ferro-to-paramagnetic phase transition for a magnetic field change of 30 kOe. After short annealing, the Curie temperature is almost unchanged while the maximum entropy change increases up to 2.01 J/kgK. Refrigerant capacity and its dependence on both working temperature range and applied field value are evaluated for all microwire samples, reaching 120 J/kg for a 30 kOe magnetic field variation. We analyze the possibility of employing microwire shape Heusler alloys as low field magnetocaloric micro-devices and solid-state actuators.
Upgrade of the infrared camera diagnostics for the JET ITER-like wall divertor
Authors: Balboa I. , Arnoux G. , Eich T. , Sieglin B. , Devaux S. , Zeidner W. , Morlock C. , Kruezi U. , Sergienko G. , Kinna D. , Thomas P. D. , Rack M. ,   JET EFDA Contributors
Published: August 2012

For the new ITER-like wall at JET, two new infrared diagnostics (KL9B, KL3B) have been installed. These diagnostics can operate between 3.5 and 5 μm and up to sampling frequencies of ∼20 kHz. KL9B and KL3B image the horizontal and vertical tiles of the divertor. The divertor tiles are tungsten coated carbon fiber composite except the central tile which is bulk tungsten and consists of lamella segments. The thermal emission between lamellae affects the surface temperature measurement and therefore KL9A has been upgraded to achieve a higher spatial resolution (by a factor of 2). A technical description of KL9A, KL9B, and KL3B and cross correlation with a near infrared camera and a two-color pyrometer is presented.
Geometric effect on the phase transition in mesoscopic loops threaded by an Aharonov-Bohm flux
Authors: Zha Guo-Qiao , Wang Shan-Shan , Wang Jing-Chao , Zhou Shi-Ping
Published: August 2012

The quantum phase transition in mesoscopic noncircular loops threaded by an Aharonov-Bohm flux is systematically investigated by numerically solving the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations self-consistently. We focus on the magnetic flux dependence of the s-wave superconducting order parameter and current in symmetric and asymmetric samples. The influence of surface indentation or bulge defects positioned at the inner or outer edge of the sample on the periodic oscillation is also discussed. We find various hc/e-flux periodicity evolution patterns, and the periodic phase transitions between the superconducing state and the resistive/normal state are demonstrated besides the superconducing state transitions. Our investigation may shed new light on material engineering and provide important insights to designing superconducting quantum devices.
Spectral lines behavior of Be I and Na I isoelectronic sequence in Debye plasma environment
Authors: Chaudhuri Rajat K. , Chattopadhyay Sudip , Sinha Mahapatra Uttam
Published: August 2012

We report the plasma screening effect on the first ionization potential (IP) and [He]2s2 (1S0)→[He]2s2p/2s3p allowed (P11) and inter-combination transitions (P31) in some selected Be-like ions. In addition, we investigate the spectral properties of [Ne]3s (2S1/2)→[Ne]np (2P1/2 and P23/2 for n = 3, 4) transitions in Ca X and Fe XVI ions (Na I isoelectronic sequence) and [He]3s(2S1/2)→[He]np (2P1/2 and P23/2 for n = 2, 3) transitions in Li, B II, and N IV (Li I isoelectronic sequence) under plasma environment. The state-of-the-art relativistic coupled cluster calculations using the Debye model of plasma for electron-nucleus interaction show that (a) the ionization potential decreases sharply with increasing plasma strength and (b) the gap between the [He]2s2 (1S0)→[He]2s2p(1,3P1) energy levels increases with increasing plasma potential and nuclear charge. It is found that the [He]2s2 (1S0)→2s3p (1,3P1) transition energy decreases uniformly with increasing plasma potential and nuclear charge. In other words, the spectral lines associated with 2s-2p (i.e., Δn=0, where n corresponds to principle quantum number) transitions in Be I isoelectronic sequence exhibit a blue-shift (except for Be I, B II, and the lowest inter-combination line in C III, which exhibit a red-shift), whereas those associated with 2s-3p (i.e., Δn≠0) transitions are red-shifted. Similar trend is observed in Li I and Na I isoelectronic sequences, where spectral lines associated with Δn=0 (Δn≠0) are blue-shifted (red-shifted). The effect of Coulomb screening on the spectral lines of ions subjected to plasma is also addressed.
Rapid startup in relativistic backward wave oscillator by injecting external backward signal
Authors: Song W. , Teng Y. , Zhang Z. Q. , Li J. W. , Sun J. , Chen C. H. , Zhang L. J.
Published: August 2012

Investigation on accelerating the building up of oscillation and achieving a rapid startup in powerful relativistic backward wave oscillator by injecting a weak external backward signal is carried out in this paper. Synchronizing the signal with the backward wave excited by intense electron beam extracting with slow wave structure, the initial noise is greatly reduced and mode competition is restrained. The analysis is demonstrated by high power X-band backward wave oscillator experiment, in which a plasma switch is designed to realize the backward signal injection. The results show that the significant reduction of microwave output delay is attained and the start time of oscillation is ahead of 10 ns with the energy conversion efficiency increases about 62%.
Optical properties and effect of carrier tunnelling in CdSe colloidal quantum dots: A comparative study with different ligands
Authors: Goswami Syamanta Kumar , Kim Tae Soo , Oh Eunsoon , Challa Kiran Kumar , Kim Eui-Tae
Published: August 2012

We studied both cw and time-resolved photoluminescence of colloidal CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots capped with chemical ligands. For the trioctylphosphine oxide capped CdSe/ZnS QDs, both the luminescence intensity and lifetime were found to be increased with increasing temperatures, which can be explained by the thermal activation of the carriers trapped at shallow trapping centers. After the ligand exchange into 3-mercaptopropionic acid, the non-radiative recombination rate was increased and the luminescence efficiency was decreased at room temperature. When the QDs were employed in photovoltaic devices, photocurrent was found to be increased after the ligand exchange. The improved photocurrents observed in photovoltaic devices can be explained by the improved tunnelling probability between the neighbouring QDs.
The Nature of Hydrogen Bonding Involving the Siloxane Group
Authors: Grabowsky Simon , Beckmann Jens , Luger Peter
Published: August 2012

Variation of the Si–O–Si angle in siloxane compounds is a way to tune their basicity from highly hydrophobic systems at linear geometry to hydrophilic systems at small angles. This has great potential in the design of new siloxane materials with properties distinct from those of known silicones. We investigate hydrogen bonds with the siloxane linkage as an acceptor in a large range of Si–O–Si angles for the two hydrogen-bonded complexes disiloxane⋯silanol [(H3Si)2O⋯HOSiH3] and disiloxane⋯water [(H3Si)2O⋯HOH] with free disiloxane [H3SiOSiH3] as reference in a quantum-mechanical ab-initio study. Geometry, electron density, and the electron localizability indicator provide several complementary indicators of hydrogen bonding which show how Si–O–Si angle variation affects the nature and strength of these unusual hydrogen bonds.
Hydrated Lanthanoid Complexes of 5-(2′-Pyridyl)tetrazole Formed in the Presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Authors: D'Alessio Daniel , Karagiannidis Louise E. , Skelton Brian W. , Massi Massimiliano , Ogden Mark I.
Published: August 2012

Reaction of DMSO solvates of lanthanoid nitrates or perchlorates with 5-(2′-pyridyl)tetrazole (pytz) and triethylamine in organic solvents resulted in the unexpected crystallization of hydrates, rather than DMSO solvates. This was confirmed by the structural characterization of [Eu(pytz)3(H2O)3]. Decreasing the metal:ligand ratio in the reaction mixture resulted in the crystallization of a complex salt formulated as [Y(pytz)2(H2O)4](pytz)·(Hpytz)·4H2O; once again DMSO was absent from the product. Interestingly, the omission of base from one reaction resulted in the serendipitous crystallization of Hpytz in a zwitterionic form, unlike the neutral ligand structure reported previously.
Iron(II) Mononuclear Materials Containing Functionalised Dipyridylamino-Substituted Triazine Ligands: Structure, Magnetism and Spin Crossover
Authors: Scott Hayley S. , Ross Tamsyn M. , Batten Stuart R. , Gass Ian A. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Neville Suzanne M. , Murray Keith S.
Published: August 2012

The spin crossover effect in iron(II) materials containing the di-2-pyridylamine functional group has been investigated for the new nitrile-functionalised ligand DTAC (2,2′,2″,2″′-((6-(di(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 diyl)bis(azanetriyl))tetra acetonitrile). This ligand has successfully been incorporated into a family of materials of the general formula trans-[Fe(DTAC)2(anion)2], wherein we have systematically varied the trans-nitrogen donor anion from NCS, NCSe, N(CN)2 (dca; dicyanamide) to NCBH3 – thus forming the four mononuclear materials trans-[Fe(DTAC)2(NCS)2]·6MeCN (1), trans-[Fe(DTAC)2(NCSe)2]·6MeCN (2), trans-[Fe(DTAC)2(N(CN)2)2] (3) and trans-[Fe(DTAC)2 (NCBH3)2]·3MeCN (4)). We find that the materials with a weaker crystal field strength anion remain high spin over all temperatures (1 and 2) whereas the materials containing stronger crystal field strength anions undergo a thermally induced spin crossover (3 and 4). Structural analysis revealed that the packing interactions in the solid state and the degree of solvation also play a large role in the observed magnetic behaviour. Indeed, aged or rapidly precipitated samples of 2 show a spin transition above room temperature.
Organometallic Complexes for Non-Linear Optics. 51. Second- and Third-Order Non-Linear Optical Properties of Alkynylgold Complexes
Authors: Barlow Adam , Babgi Bandar , Samoc Marek , Corkery T. Christopher , van Cleuvenbergen Stijn , Asselberghs Inge , Clays Koen , Cifuentes Marie P. , Humphrey Mark G.
Published: August 2012

The alkynes HC≡CC6H2-2,6-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-NO2 (4) and HC≡CC6H4-4-C≡CC6H2-2,6-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-NO2 (6) and gold alkynyl complexes Au{C≡CC6H2-2,5-(OEt)2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-NO2}(PPh3) (7), Au(C≡CC6H2-2,6-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-NO2)(PPh3) (8), and Au(C≡CC6H4-4-C≡CC6H2-2,6-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-NO2)(PPh3) (9) have been synthesized. The linear optical properties and quadratic optical non-linearities of 7–9 have been measured, the latter by hyper-Rayleigh scattering at 1064 nm, and compared with data for the previously reported complexes Au(C≡CC6H4-4-NO2)(PPh3) (10) and Au(C≡CC6H4-4-C≡CC6H4-4-NO2)(PPh3) (11). The optical absorption maximum red-shifts and the first hyperpolarizabilities increase on π-system lengthening and on introduction of electron-releasing substituents on the π-bridge ring adjacent to the metal centre. The cubic non-linear optical properties of 1,4-{(PCy3)Au(C≡C)}2C6H4 (12) and {(PCy3)Au(C≡C-4-C6H4C≡C)}6C6 (13) have been assessed by wide spectroscopic range femtosecond Z-scan studies; the maximal values of the imaginary component and the effective two-photon absorption cross-section increase markedly on proceeding from linear complex 12 to 6-fold-symmetric complex 13, an increase that is maintained when data are scaled by relative molecular weight.
Incommensurate Modulated Structures in the Ta2O5 - Al2O3 System
Authors: Schmid Siegbert , Fung Veronica
Published: August 2012

Members of the (1 – x)Ta2O5·xAl2O3 series were synthesized, and the structures investigated using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and neutron powder diffraction data for the first time. Structural models were developed and refined using the Rietveld method and a [3 + 1] dimensional incommensurately modulated composite structure approach with a composition dependent modulation vector q, and superspace group Xmmm(0β0)s00. Displacive atomic modulation functions across the (1 – x)Ta2O5·xAl2O3 series were found to be very similar, and strongly resemble those for the Ta2O5–WO3 system, in line with the notion that there are structure types in higher dimensional space just as there are in 3D space. Bond valence sum calculations and bond distance plots showed that the introduction of the modulation to the structural model generally led to more favourable bond valence sum values and bond distances. Fourier difference plots were examined, and the occupational modulation of aluminium refined to determine that the aluminium atoms preferentially occupy the octahedral sites.
The use of ultra-thin diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) devices for the analysis of trace metal dynamics in soils and sediments: a measurement and modelling approach
Authors: Lehto Niklas J. , Davison William , Zhang Hao
Published: August 2012

Environmental contextThe recently developed diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT)-planar optode sandwich probe uses extremely thin resin binding layers, separated from the medium of interest by a very thin material diffusive layer. This work investigates how these changes to the physical nature of a DGT probe are likely to change the interpretation of trace metal measurements in solutions, soils and sediments by using a combination of experimental measurements in well characterised solutions and spiked soils, and advanced reactive transport modelling.
AbstractThe interpretation of diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) measurements of trace metals in aquatic systems has developed from studies using DGT devices with standard dimensions, but increasingly ultra thin devices are being used for measurements in sediments. This work investigates their performance and the suitability of using traditional data interpretation. The relationship between the concentration of DGT-labile trace metal and the mass of Cu and Cd bound by a 50 µm-thick suspended particulate reagent–imidodiacetate resin binding layer was found to be linear when the total mass of the metals bound by the resin was less than 3 µg cm–2, demonstrating that the capacity is adequate for measurements in uncontaminated environments. An ultra thin DGT probe using a 50 µm-thick resin gel and a 0.01 mm-thick material diffusion layer (MDL), was deployed in soil to demonstrate the spatial resolution in trace metal measurements that can be achieved using this approach. DGT probes with extremely thin (0.01 mm) and more conventional MDLs (0.8 mm) were used to investigate if the mechanisms traditionally used to describe DGT uptake of Cu and Cd from solutions and soil porewaters apply for ultra-thin probes. Interpretation of the results using a dynamic numerical model demonstrated that the processes determining the supply of Cu and Cd to a DGT probe in these media are unlikely to differ for conventional and ultra thin probes, despite the higher metal fluxes to the latter probes. Overall, the results establish that measurements made using ultra-thin DGT devices in soils and sediments can be meaningfully interpreted using an extension of the existing theory.
Melaminium (2-carboxyethyl)(phenyl)phosphinate monohydrate
Authors: Xue Jun , Zhao Cui-Cui , Du Zi-Yi
Published: August 2012

Cocrystallization of melamine (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine, ma) with (2-carboxyethyl)(phenyl)phosphinic acid (H2L) from water affords the title compound, C3H7N6+·C9H10O4P−·H2O or (maH)(HL)·H2O, (I). The phosphinic acid H atom of each H2Lmolecule is transferred to a melamine molecule. Structural analysis reveals that there are two types of secondary building units in the crystal structure, namely cationic [(maH+)2]∞ribbons and anionic {[(HL)2(H2O)2]2−}∞layers, the combination of which through hydrogen-bond and electrostatic interactions, generates a large-scale two-dimensional layered structure. The thick layer is sandwich-like, with the central [(maH+)2]∞ribbons being further stabilized by π–π stacking interactions. It is also worthy of note that two conformational isomericR65(24) hydrogen-bond ring motifs can be identified in the {[(HL)2(H2O)2]2−}∞layer.
Partial symptom‐response to proton pump inhibitors in patients with non‐erosive reflux disease or reflux oesophagitis – a post hoc analysis of 5796 patients
Authors: Bytzer P. , van Zanten S. Veldhuyzen , Mattsson H. , Wernersson B.
Published: August 2012

Background

Although most patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) benefit from proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, some experience only partial symptom relief.

Aim

To determine the prevalence of partial heartburn response to PPIs and its impact on health‐related quality of life.

Methods

Four randomised, double‐blind studies in adults with reflux disease compared esomeprazole 40 mg/day or 20 mg/day with omeprazole 20 mg/day, or esomeprazole 40 mg/day with pantoprazole 40 mg/day. Patients with heartburn on ≥4 days during the 1‐week recall period at baseline were included. Partial response was defined as heartburn on ≥3 days during the last treatment week and reduced heartburn frequency after 4 weeks of treatment compared with baseline.

Results

The analysis included 2645 patients with non‐erosive reflux disease (mean age: 48.8 years; 54.4% women) and 3151 patients with reflux oesophagitis (mean age: 50.6 years; 37.1% women). At baseline, most patients reported heartburn on 5–7 days (non‐erosive reflux disease: 82.2%; reflux oesophagitis: 86.8%). Partial heartburn response occurred in 19.9% of patients with non‐erosive reflux disease and 14.0% with reflux oesophagitis. Defining partial response as heartburn on ≥2 days increased these rates to 26.2% and 19.3%, respectively; defining partial response as heartburn of moderate or severe intensity on ≥3 days decreased these rates to 6.4% and 5.3%, respectively. Nonresponse to PPIs was rare (non‐erosive reflux disease: 2.4%; reflux oesophagitis: 1.4%).

Conclusion

Using our conservative definition, partial heartburn response to proton pump inhibitor therapy occurred in 14–20% of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients, more commonly in non‐erosive reflux disease than in reflux oesophagitis.
Contrasting effects of low and high nitrogen additions on soil CO2 flux components and ectomycorrhizal fungal sporocarp production in a boreal forest
Authors: Hasselquist Niles J. , Metcalfe Daniel B. , Högberg Peter
Published: August 2012

Nitrogen (N) added through atmospheric deposition or as fertilizer to boreal and temperate forests reduces both soil decomposer activity (heterotrophic respiration) and the activity of roots and mycorrhizal fungi (autotrophic respiration). However, these negative effects have been found in studies that applied relatively high levels of N, whereas the responses to ambient atmospheric N deposition rates are still not clear. Here, we compared an unfertilized control boreal forest with a fertilized forest (100 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and a forest subject to N‐deposition rates comparable to those in Central Europe (20 kg N ha−1 yr−1) to investigate the effects of N addition rate on different components of forest floor respiration and the production of ectomycorrhizal fungal sporocarps. Soil collars were used to partition heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic (Ra) respiration, which was further separated into respiration by tree roots (Rtr) and mycorrhizal hyphae (Rm). Total forest floor respiration was twice as high in the low N plot compared to the control, whereas there were no differences between the control and high N plot. There were no differences in Rh respiration among plots. The enhanced forest floor respiration in the low N plot was, therefore, the result of increased Ra respiration, with an increase in Rtr respiration, and a doubling of Rm respiration. The latter was corroborated by a slightly greater ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal sporocarp production in the low N plot as compared to the control plot. In contrast, EM fungal sporocarp production was nearly eliminated, and Rm respiration severely reduced, in the high N plot, which resulted in significantly lower Ra respiration. We thus found a nonlinear response of the Ra components to N addition rate, which calls for further studies of the quantitative relations among N addition rate, plant photosynthesis and carbon allocation, and the function of EM fungi.
Gambling in Australia: experiences, problems, research and policy
Authors: Delfabbro Paul , King Daniel
Published: August 2012

Aims  The aim of this paper is to provide a critical overview of the development and current status of gambling in Australia.

Methods  The paper examines the history and current status of gambling in Australia with a particular focus on the prevalence of problem gambling in the community and developments in policy and treatment services.

Results  The paper highlights the contradictory role of State governments as both providers of treatment services as well as agents for the liberalization for gambling. It also shows how the notion of ‘addiction’ is conceptualized in Australian research and treatment services, including the preference for harm‐based and public health approaches. Such perspectives view problem gambling as having multiple pathways and determinants that extend beyond the pathology of individuals.

Conclusions  Gambling in Australia provides a curious paradox. Highly liberalized State government policies that allow the proliferation of high intensity gambling coexist with extensive policy, regulation and research designed to address the negative impact of gambling on the Australian community.
Using palaeolimnological and limnological data to reconstruct the recent history of European lake ecosystems: introduction
Authors: BATTARBEE RICHARD W. , BENNION HELEN
Published: August 2012

1. As future climate change is expected to have a major impact on freshwater lake ecosystems, it is important to assess the extent to which changes taking place in freshwater lakes can be attributed to the degree of climate change that has already taken place.

2. To address this issue, it is necessary to examine evidence spanning many decades by combining long‐term observational data sets and palaeolimnological records.

3. Here, we introduce a series of case studies of seven European lakes for which both long‐term data sets and sediment records are available. Most of the sites have been affected by eutrophication and are now in recovery.

4. The studies attempt to disentangle the effects of climate change from those of nutrient pollution and conclude that nutrient pollution is still the dominant factor controlling the trophic state of lakes.

5. At most sites, however, there is also evidence of climate influence related in some cases to natural variability in the climate system, and in others to the trend to higher temperatures over recent decades attributed to anthropogenic warming.

6. More generally and despite some problems, the studies indicate the value of combining limnological and palaeolimnological records in reconstructing lake history and in disentangling the changing role of different pressures on lake ecosystems.
5,7‐Dihydroxy‐3,4,6‐trimethoxyflavone inhibits intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 via the Akt and nuclear factor‐κB‐dependent pathway, leading to suppression of adhesion of monocytes and eosinophils to bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Jung Jireh , Ko Su H. , Yoo Do Y. , Lee Jin Y. , Kim Yeong‐Jeon , Choi Seul M. , Kang Kyung K. , Yoon Ho J. , Kim Hyeyoung , Youn Jeehee , Kim Jung M.
Published: August 2012

5,7‐Dihydroxy‐3′,4′,6′‐trimethoxyflavone (eupatilin), the active pharmacological ingredient from Artemisia asiatica Nakai (Asteraceae), is reported to have a variety of anti‐inflammatory properties in intestinal epithelial cells. However, little information is known about the molecular mechanism of eupatilin‐induced attenuation of bronchial epithelial inflammation. This study investigates the role of eupatilin in the adhesion of inflammatory cells such as monocytes and eosinophils to bronchial epithelial cells. Stimulation of a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS‐2B) with tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) increased the expression of surface adhesion molecules, including intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), in which eupatilin significantly inhibited the expression of those adhesion molecules in a dose‐dependent manner. Eupatilin suppressed the TNF‐α‐induced activation of IκBα and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signals in BEAS‐2B cells. The IκB kinase (IKK) activation was also significantly reduced in eupatilin‐pre‐treated BEAS‐2B and primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. However, eupatilin did not influence AP‐1 activity in TNF‐α‐stimulated cells. Suppression of NF‐κB signalling induced by eupatilin resulted in the inhibition of the expression of adhesion molecules and the adhesion of monocytes and eosinophils to BEAS‐2B cells. Furthermore, eupatilin suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt in TNF‐α‐stimulated BEAS‐2B and NHBE cells, leading to down‐regulation of NF‐κB activation and adhesion molecule expression and finally to suppression of the inflammatory cell adhesion to epithelial cells. These results suggest that eupatilin can inhibit the adhesion of inflammatory cells to bronchial epithelial cells via a signalling pathway, including activation of Akt and NF‐κB, as well as expression of adhesion molecules.
Sweet potato protein hydrolysates: antioxidant activity and protective effects on oxidative DNA damage
Authors: Zhang Miao , Mu Tai‐Hua , Sun Min‐Jie
Published: August 2012

In this study, sweet potato protein (SPP) hydrolysates were prepared by six enzymes (alcalase, proleather FG‐F, AS1.398, neutrase, papain and pepsin). The antioxidant activities and protective effect against oxidative DNA damage of SPP hydrolysates were investigated. Alcalase hydrolysates exhibited the highest hydroxyl radical‐scavenging activity (IC50 1.74 mg mL−1) and Fe2+‐chelating ability (IC50 1.54 mg mL−1) (P < 0.05). Compared with other five hydrolysates, the hydrolysates obtained by alcalase had the most abundant <3‐kDa fractions. In addition, below 3‐kDa fractions of alcalase hydrolysates showed the highest antioxidant activities and protective effects against DNA damage through both scavenging hydroxyl radicals and chelating Fe2+, which was probably because of the increase in several antioxidant amino acids, such as His, Met, Cys, Tyr and Phe, as well as the hydrophobic amino acids. The results suggested that enzymatic hydrolysis could be used as an effective technique to produce high value‐added peptides products from SPP.
Microwave drying of ginger (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe) and its effects on polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity
Authors: Kubra Ismail R. , Jagan Mohan Rao Lingamallu
Published: August 2012

The effects of microwave (MW) drying on the total polyphenol content (TPP) and antioxidant properties of ginger extract (column extraction using 50% ethanol at room temperature) were evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteau's method, 2, 2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl assay, reducing power, antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing ability of plasma assay. The results were compared to that of the convective cross‐flow drying (CD) at 50 ± 4 °C. Extract yield, TPP content (59–80 mg GAE per g) of the MW‐dried samples increased with increase in MW power levels (PL 40, 60, 80 and 100), which might be as a result of MW energy causing breakdown of cellular constituents. The MW‐dried (PL100, 800W) extract showed the highest quantity (1.5 fold) in TPP, [6]‐gingerol content and antioxidant activity, when compared to the CD extract. Hence, it might be concluded that the optimal MW PL for drying of ginger slices with respect to retention of nonvolatiles such as TPP including [6]‐gingerol was PL 100.
The loss of OSA‐modified starch emulsifier property during the high‐pressure homogeniser and encapsulation of multi‐flavour bergamot oil by spray drying
Authors: Penbunditkul Pailin , Yoshii Hidefumi , Ruktanonchai Uracha , Charinpanitkul Tawatchai , Assabumrungrat Suttichai , Soottitantawat Apinan
Published: August 2012

The encapsulation of bergamot oil by spray drying was investigated by using octenyl succinylated waxy maize starch as wall material and bergamot oil as core. The bergamot oil is majorly composed of d‐limonene, linalool and linalyl acetate. High‐speed and high‐pressure homogenisers were used as major tools of emulsification process. The results indicated that some chemical functional groups were lost during the high‐pressure homogenisation. Moreover, larger emulsion droplet size (5–10 μm) was observed when emulsion passed through high‐pressure homogeniser. Meanwhile, the saturation of carrier solution before preparing the emulsion was also important to produce the encapsulated flavour powder by spray drying. The optimal value of air inlet temperature at 160 °C to give the highest flavour retention and the lowest surface oil content was observed. Furthermore, the retention of linalool after spray drying was higher than 100%. The transformation of each flavour might occur.
Detection of clenbuterol in beef meat, liver and kidney by mid‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐Mid IR) and multivariate analysis
Authors: Meza‐Márquez Ofelia G. , Gallardo‐Velázquez Tzayhrí , Osorio‐Revilla Guillermo , Dorantes‐Álvarez Lidia
Published: August 2012

Mid‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐Mid IR) coupled with multivariate analysis was used to predict clenbuterol in beef meat, liver and kidney. A SIMCA model was also developed to discriminate between pure (beef meat, liver and kidney) and spiked with clenbuterol samples (beef meat‐clenbuterol, liver‐clenbuterol and kidney‐clenbuterol). The best models to predict clenbuterol concentrations were obtained using the partial least squares algorithm (PLS) with a R2 > 0.9 and SEC and standard error of prediction <0.296 and 0.324, respectively. The SIMCA model used to discriminate pure and spiked with clenbuterol samples showed 100% correct classification rate. Methods detection limit was 2 μg kg−1. FT‐Mid IR coupled with chemometrics could be a simple and rapid screening tool for monitoring clenbuterol in beef meat, liver and kidney implicated in food poisoning. This method could be use for screening purposes.
Chemical and microbiological status and volatile profiles of mouldy Civil cheese, a Turkish mould‐ripened variety
Authors: Cakmakci Songül , Gundogdu Engin , Hayaloglu Ali A. , Dagdemir Elif , Gurses Mustafa , Cetin Bulent , Tahmas‐Kahyaoglu Deren
Published: August 2012

The objective of this study is to characterise the gross chemical and microbiological status and identify the volatile compounds of mouldy Civil cheeses. A total of forty‐one samples were surveyed, and gross compositional status of the cheeses was (as mean values): 6.5 for pH, 6.2% for fat‐in‐dry matter, 51.8% for moisture and 15.3% for water‐soluble nitrogen (as% of total nitrogen). Chemical composition of the cheese samples varied widely. Mouldy Civil cheese has similar pH values and moisture contents when compared with blue‐type cheeses, but it has distinct feature for fat contents. The microbiological counts of the samples were found to be high and some samples contained coliform bacteria. A total of 95 volatiles, including esters (28), acids (6), ketones (12), aldehydes (3), alcohols (15), terpenes (10), sulphur compounds (3) and miscellaneous (18), were identified in the volatile fractions of the cheeses, and principal volatile groups were esters, alcohols and ketones.
Identifying the core competencies of mental health telephone triage
Authors: Sands Natisha , Elsom Stephen , Gerdtz Marie , Henderson Kathryn , Keppich‐Arnold Sandra , Droste Nicolas , Prematunga Roshani K , Wereta Zewdu W
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  The primary aim of this study was to identify the core competencies of mental health telephone triage, including key role tasks, skills, knowledge and responsibilities, in which clinicians are required to be competent to perform safe and effective triage.

Background.  Recent global trends indicate an increased reliance on telephone‐based health services to facilitate access to health care across large populations. The trend towards telephone‐based health services has also extended to mental health settings, evidenced by the growing number of mental health telephone triage services providing 24‐hour access to specialist mental health assessment and treatment. Mental health telephone triage services are critical to the early identification of mental health problems and the provision of timely, appropriate interventions. In spite of the rapid growth in mental health telephone triage and the important role these services play in the assessment and management of mental illness and related risks, there has been very little research investigating this area of practice.

Design.  An observational design was employed to address the research aims.

Methods.  Structured observations (using dual wireless headphones) were undertaken on 197 occasions of mental health telephone triage over a three‐month period from January to March 2011.

Results.  The research identified seven core areas of mental health telephone triage practice in which clinicians are required to be competent in to perform effective mental health telephone triage, including opening the call; performing mental status examination; risk assessment; planning and action; termination of call; referral and reporting; and documentation.

Conclusions.  The findings of this research contribute to the evidence base for mental health telephone triage by articulating the core competencies for practice.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The mental health telephone triage competencies identified in this research may be used to define an evidence‐based framework for mental health telephone triage practice that aims to improve the quality, consistency and accuracy of telephone‐based mental health triage assessment.
The experience of becoming a grandmother to a premature infant – a balancing act, influenced by ambivalent feelings
Authors: Frisman Gunilla H , Eriksson Carrie , Pernehed Sara , Mörelius Evalotte
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  To explore and describe the experience of becoming a grandmother to a premature infant.

Background.  Becoming a grandmother involves a new perspective of life. Grandmothers of sick infants find themselves in a new situation with an adult child undergoing serious stress. Few studies have approached the grandmothers’ own experience of becoming a grandmother to a premature infant.

Design.  A qualitative content analysis was used.

Methods.  Eleven women, 52–66 years of age, who were grandmothers to premature infants born at a gestational age of 25–34 weeks, were interviewed during 2010. The infants were less than three years old at the time of the interview. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis.

Results.  The overall theme was a balancing act. Two categories of experience were identified: emotional experiences and a new role. ‘Emotional experiences’ was related to the first meeting, ambivalent feelings and confidence in care. ‘A new role’ was related to the subcategories supportive, a balance of involvement and limitations.

Conclusions.  To become a grandmother to a premature infant was experienced as a balancing act influenced by ambivalent feelings of joy, fear and worry. The grandmothers sensed the seriousness of the situation at the same time as they wanted to be happy about the newborn infant. They worried about their adult child’s as well as the premature infant’s health but put their own needs aside. The grandmothers’ new role was a balance between being involved and supportive without disturbing.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Neonatal intensive care unit staff should be open to grandmothers’ needs and acknowledge them as an obvious support for the immediate family of a premature infant. The grandmothers need guidance and information about what to expect concerning the infants health, the parents situation and their own role.
Objective and subjective measures of sleepiness, and their associations with on‐road driving events in shift workers
Authors: FTOUNI SUZANNE , SLETTEN TRACEY L. , HOWARD MARK , ANDERSON CLARE , LENNÉ MICHAEL G. , LOCKLEY STEVEN W. , RAJARATNAM SHANTHA M. W.
Published: August 2012

To assess the relationships between sleepiness and the incidence of adverse driving events in nurses commuting to and from night and rotating shifts, 27 rotating and permanent night shift‐working nurses were asked to complete daily sleep and duty logs, and wear wrist‐activity monitors for 2 weeks (369 driving sessions). During all commutes, ocular measures of drowsiness, including the Johns Drowsiness Scale score, were assessed using the Optalert™ system. Participants self‐reported their subjective sleepiness at the beginning and end of each drive, and any events that occurred during the drive. Rotating shift nurses reported higher levels of sleepiness compared with permanent night shift nurses. In both shift‐working groups, self‐reported sleepiness, drowsiness and drive events were significantly higher during commutes following night shifts compared with commutes before night shifts. Strong associations were found between objective drowsiness and increased odds of driving events during commutes following night shifts. Maximum total blink duration (mean = 7.96 s) during the drive and pre‐drive Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (mean = 5.0) were associated with greater incidence of sleep‐related events [OR, 5.35 (95% CI, 1.32, 21.60), OR, 1.69 (95% CI, 1.04, 2.73), respectively]. Inattention was strongly associated with a Johns Drowsiness Scale score equal to or above 4.5 [OR, 4.58 (95% CI, 1.26–16.69)]. Hazardous driving events were more likely to occur when drivers had been awake for 16 h or more [OR, 4.50 (95% CI, 1.81, 11.16)]. Under real‐world driving conditions, shift‐working nurses experience high levels of drowsiness as indicated by ocular measures, which are associated with impaired driving performance following night shift work.
Pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles arabiensis in western Kenya: phenotypic, metabolic and target site characterizations of three populations
Authors: OCHOMO E. , BAYOH M. N. , BROGDON W. G. , GIMNIG J. E. , OUMA C. , VULULE J. M. , WALKER E. D.
Published: August 2012

Field and laboratory investigations revealed phenotypic, target site and metabolic resistance to permethrin in an Anopheles gambiae s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae) population in Bungoma District, a region in western Kenya in which malaria is endemic and rates of ownership of insecticide‐treated bednets are high. The sensitivity of individual An. gambiae s.l. females as indicated in assays using World Health Organization (WHO) test kits demonstrated reduced mortality in response to permethrin, deltamethrin and bendiocarb. Estimated time to knock‐down of 50% (KDT50) of the test population in Centers for Disease Control (CDC) bottle bioassays was significantly lengthened for the three insecticides compared with that in a susceptible control strain. Anopheles arabiensis from all three sites showed higher mortality to all three insecticides in the WHO susceptibility assays compared with the CDC bottle assays, in which they showed less sensitivity and longer KDT50 than the reference strain for permethrin and deltamethrin. Microplate assays revealed elevated activity of β‐esterases and oxidases, but not glutathione‐S‐transferase, in An. gambiae s.s. survivors exposed to permethrin in bottle bioassays compared with knocked down and unexposed individuals. No An. arabiensis showed elevated enzyme activity. The 1014S kdr allele was fixed in the Bungoma An. gambiae s.s. population and absent from An. arabiensis, whereas the 1014F kdr allele was absent from all samples of both species. Insecticide resistance could compromise vector control in Bungoma and could spread to other areas as coverage with longlasting insecticide‐treated bednets increases.
Rate coefficients for the rovibrational excitation of CO by H2 and He
Authors: Flower D. R.
Published: August 2012

Cross-sections and rate coefficients have been calculated for the rovibrational excitation of CO by ortho- and para-H2 and by He. We adopted the quantal coupled channels method of solving the scattering equations, including CO rotational levels in the v = 0, 1 and 2 vibrational manifolds. Comparison is made with the results of previous calculations, which employed different interaction potentials and less accurate approximations to the collision dynamics. We consider that the present calculations yield reliable values of the rate coefficients for rovibrational excitation of CO at kinetic temperatures T ≈ 103 K.
Stereological assessment of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia: absence of changes in neuronal and glial densities
Authors: Höistad M. , Heinsen H. , Wicinski B. , Schmitz C. , Hof P. R.
Published: August 2012

M. Höistad, H. Heinsen, B. Wicinski, C. Schmitz and P. R. Hof (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 348–361

Stereological assessment of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia: absence of changes in neuronal and glial densities

Aims: The prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices are implicated in schizophrenia, and many studies have assessed volume, cortical thickness, and neuronal densities or numbers in these regions. Available data, however, are rather conflicting and no clear cortical alteration pattern has been established. Changes in oligodendrocytes and white matter have been observed in schizophrenia, introducing a hypothesis about a myelin deficit as a key event in disease development. Methods: We investigated the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) in 13 men with schizophrenia and 13 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. We assessed stereologically the dACC volume, neuronal and glial densities, total neurone and glial numbers, and glia/neurone index (GNI) in both layers II–III and V–VI. Results: We observed no differences in neuronal or glial densities. No changes were observed in dACC cortical volume, total neurone numbers, and total glial numbers in schizophrenia. This contrasts with previous findings and suggests that the dACC may not undergo as severe changes in schizophrenia as is generally believed. However, we observed higher glial densities in layers V–VI than in layers II–III in both controls and patients with schizophrenia, pointing to possible layer‐specific effects on oligodendrocyte distribution during development. Conclusions: Using rigorous stereological methods, we demonstrate a seemingly normal cortical organization in an important neocortical area for schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of such morphometric approaches in quantitative neuropathology. We discuss the significance of subregion‐ and layer‐specific alterations in the development of schizophrenia, and the discrepancies between post mortem histopathological studies and in vivo brain imaging findings in patients.
Molecular characterization, phylogenetic comparison and serological relationship of the Imp protein of several ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ strains
Authors: Siampour M. , Izadpanah K. , Galetto L. , Salehi M. , Marzachí C.
Published: August 2012

The immunodominant membrane protein Imp of several phytoplasmas within the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ (16Sr‐II) group was investigated. Eighteen isolates from Iran (11), East Asia (5), Africa (1) and Australia (1) clustered into three phylogenetic subgroups (A, B and C) based on the 16S rDNA and imp genes, regardless of geographic origin. The imp gene sequences were variable, with more non‐synonymous than synonymous mutations (68 vs 20, respectively), even though many of the non‐synonymous ones (75%) produced conservative amino acid replacements. Eight codon sites on the extracellular region of the protein were under positive selection, with most of them (75%) coding for non‐conservative amino acid substitutions. Full‐length (21 kDa) and truncated (16 kDa) Imp proteins of two economically important Iranian phytoplasmas [lime witches’ broom (LWB) and alfalfa witches’ broom (AlWB‐F)] were expressed as His‐tagged recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. An antiserum raised against full‐length recombinant LWB Imp reacted in western blots with membrane proteins extracted from LWB‐infected periwinkle and lime, indicating that Imp (19 kDa) is expressed in infected plants and is a membrane‐associated protein. The same polyclonal antibody also detected native Imp in proteins from periwinkles infected by phytoplasmas closely related to LWB (subgroup C) only, confirming phylogenetic clustering based on 16S rDNA and imp genes. Imp proteins of LWB and AlWB‐F isolates were also recognized by an antiserum raised against an enriched preparation of AlWB‐F phytoplasma cells, demonstrating the antigenic properties of this protein.