bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collecting Money, Connecting Beliefs: Fundraising and Networking in the Unity of Brethren of the Early Eighteenth Century
Authors: Schunka Alexander
Published: May 2014

Early modern fundraising journeys were an important tool for the economic and religious survival of minorities, as well as for the creation of transnational ties of communication and support. This essay addresses a fundraising journey of the Bohemian Unity of Brethren from Poland to Great Britain in 1715/17. Focusing on the diary of the fundraiser Christian Sitkovius, it argues that this journey was crucial in providing a theological and communicative basis for later links between the Bohemian Brethren and Zinzendorf's Moravian Church, as well as for the Moravians' establishment in the British empire. The article offers important insights into contemporary practices of traveling and religious self-fashioning as well as into the relationship between religion and economy among Protestants in the early eighteenth century. It also adds new information about the early history of the Moravian Church in the Atlantic World.
Resistance of rice cultivars to Pyricularia oryzae in Southern Spain
Authors: Castejón-Muñoz M. , Lara-Álvarez I. , Aguilar M.
Published: May 2014

The susceptibility of 14 commercial rice cultivars to Pyricularia oryzae was tested under field conditions agronomically appropriate for natural infection to occur. The first symptoms of infection were detected on the leafs when the crops were at the medium tillering stage. Generally speaking, the incidence of infection for each particular cultivar was similar in the 2002 and 2003 seasons and at the two trial locations (the Sartenejales and Casudis estates in the Province of Seville). The pathogen infected 80-100% of "Maratelli", "Baixet", "Thainato" and "Galatxo" plants. Differences were seen among the cultivars with respect to the parts of the plant affected. "Baixet" and "Maratelli" were the most susceptible cultivars, followed by "Thainato". "Ullal" was the most tolerant, followed by "Marisma", "Puebla", "Maso", "L-202", "Susan", "Doongara", "Fonsa" and "Jacinto"; these last six cultivars showed medium disease severity according to the scale used in this work. Further studies on the interactions between different strains of P. oryzae and rice cultivars are underway.
Soil salinity assessment using directed soil sampling from a geophysical survey with electromagnetic technology: a case study
Authors: Amezketa Lizarraga E.
Published: May 2014

Spatial characterization of soil salinity is required for establishing salt control measurements in irrigated agriculture. For that, cost-effective, specific, rapid, and reliable methodologies for determining soil salinity in-situ and processing those data are required. This paper shows the usefulness of an integrated methodology involving a hand-held electromagnetic sensor (Geonics EM38), and the ESAP (Electrical conductivity or salinity, Sampling, Assessment and Prediction) software package to assess, predict and map soil salinity at field scale. The salinity of a 1.74 ha plot of a surface-irrigated field of Navarre, northern Spain, was analyzed by reading the bulk soil electrical conductivity (ECa) with the EM38 sensor at 180 locations. At 20 of those sites, soil core samples were taken at 0.3 m intervals to a depth of 0.9 m, and electrical conductivity of the saturation extract (ECe), saturation percentage (SP) and water content (WC) were measured. Salinity was the dominant factor influencing the EM38 readings. The multiple linear regression (MLR) calibration model predicted ECe from EM38 readings with squar R ranging from 0.38 to 0.90 for the multiple-depth profile. The ESAP software also provided field range average estimates of soil salinity. Eighty-one percent of the field had ECe values above 4 dS mE-1. The obtained salinity map was helpful to display the spatial patterns of soil salinity and identify sources/causes of salt loading.
Effect of poultry litter on silage maize (Zea mays L.) production and nutrient uptake
Authors: Hirzel J. , Matus I. , Novoa F. , Walter I. , Walter I.
Published: May 2014

In Chile, the availability of poultry manure has recently increased as a result of expanding poultry production. The application of this organic waste on agricultural land is desirable since it not only helps recycle nutrients but also solves the problem of its disposal. A two year field study was undertaken to compare the effects of poultry litter (PL) and traditional mineral fertilizer on the growth of silage maize (Zea mays L.). The effects of adding mean annual PL rates of 10, 15 and 20 Mg haE-1, with and without mineral fertilizer, were compared with those of two rates of conventional mineral fertilizer and a control treatment (no fertilizer). Crop yield showed a positive response to the fertilized treatments and fluctuated between 26.30 and 37.13 Mg haE-1; values for the controls ranged between 17.12 and 23.80 Mg haE-1. The yield averages obtained with the PL treatments were 13.85 and 9.05 Mg haE-1 higher than the controls in the first and second year respectively. Nutrient uptake was similar with the PL and conventional fertilizer treatments. The mean of apparent efficiency of N recovery (AENR) for the PL treatments was higher than that of conventional fertilizer treatments, suggesting PL to be an appropriate N supply that suffers only small N losses. The highest AENR was obtained with the lowest PL dose, indicating this to be the most appropriate rate. In conclusion, PL is an efficient alternative to conventional mineral fertilizers for silage maize production.
Short communication. The influence of size, variety, destination port and month of sale in the export price of Chilean apples: a hedonic approach
Authors: Troncoso J.L. , Aguirre M.
Published: May 2014

This study aims at determining the marginal prices of agronomic and marketing variables for Chilean export apples. The agronomic variables are variety and size, and the marketing variables destination port and month of sale. The database corresponds to the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons and was obtained directly from the export bulletins of an important Chilean fruit export company. A hedonic price linear function was estimated in terms of the variables mentioned. A generalized linear model was employed and parameters were estimated via the maximum-likelihood method. Results showed that the most influential variable on the final price of apples is destination port, followed by variety, month of sale and size. Using as reference Saudi Arabian ports, Taiwan should be preferred while Rotterdam, other European ports, Philadelphia and other American ports and Latin America are worst choices than Saudi Arabia. With respect to "Red Chief", the reference variety, "Fuji" and "Gala" have positive marginal prices whereas "Granny Smith" showed a null marginal price. Sales in March or April show negative and null marginal prices respectively, suggesting that the best choice is May. The cost of cold storage, however, can offset the advantage of a late sale. Finally the study shows that size has little significance on final price and that 28 additional points in the size index are required to justify the cost of thinning.
Tumour stage on re-staging transurethral resection predicts recurrence and progression-free survival of patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Bishr Mohamed , Lattouf Jean-Baptiste , Latour Mathieu , Saad Fred
Published: May 2014

Introduction: To identify patients who should be considered for early radical cystectomy, we evaluated the clinical and pathological variables affecting the outcome of patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who underwent re-staging transurethral resection (re-TUR).Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of 453 patients treated for urothelial carcinoma between 2006 and 2010. In total, 94 patients underwent re-TUR after their initial TUR. Of these, 72 were not upstaged to muscle invasive disease and were therefore included in our study.Results: On re-TUR, 31 patients had no residual tumour (T0) and 41 patients had residual NMIBC. A statistically significant difference was noted between patients with pT0 and patients with residual NMIBC on re-TUR in regard to tumour recurrence and progression (39% vs. 83%, p < 0.001) (6% vs. 34%, p = 0.005), respectively. On multivariate analysis, tumour stage on re-TUR and the regimen of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy (induction vs. maintenance) remained independent predicting factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.001, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.77), (p < 0.001 HR: 0.16) and progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.014, HR: 2.11), (p = 0.008, HR: 0.097), respectively.Conclusions: The presence of T0 on re-TUR is associated with better RFS and PFS and could be a predictive factor for candidates for conservative management. Patients with persistent NMIBC on re-TUR require close follow-up and, in some cases, could be considered for early cystectomy. Maintenance intravesical BCG therapy can improve RFS and PFS in patients with high-risk NMIBC. This study is limited by its retrospective nature and the relatively small number of patients in the cohort.
Colonic perforation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: An 18-year experience
Authors: AslZare Mohammad , Darabi Mohammad Reza , Shakiba Behnam , Mahtaj Leila Gholami
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment of choice for large, extracorporeal lithotripsy failure stones and those in the inferior calyx. Despite the development of new techniques and the increasing experience in recent decades, complications may still occur. Colonic perforation is one of the most dangerous and rare complications of PCNL, which may lead to peritonitis and sepsis. We present our 18-year experience on the diagnosis and management of colonic perforation during PCNL.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 5260 PCNL procedures performed between May 1995 and August 2013. Preoperative and operative factors, such as age, sex, history of previous ipsilateral stone intervention, stone side, stone location, site of skin puncture and punctured calyx, were reviewed in patients with colonic injury.Results: Colonic perforation was found in 11 patients (5 males and 6 females) and the mean age was 40.4 ± 22.2 years (range: 4 to 71). All injuries were retroperitoneal. The left side was affected in 5 patients and the right side was injured in 6 cases. Conservative management was the treatment planned for all patients. It included withdrawal of the nephrostomy tube outside the kidney to the colon as a percutaneous colostomy, insertion of a double-J ureteral stent, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, bowel rest and total parenteral nutrition. Under this conservative management, complete healing of the colon was achieved in all patients.Conclusion: Early diagnosis and conservative management of colonic perforation can minimize patient morbidity and mortality and result in excellent healing of the fistulous tract without any serious complications.
Prostate cancer detection by prostate-specific antigen-based screening in Japanese Hiroshima area shows early stage, low-grade, and low rate of cancer-specific death compared with clinical detection
Authors: Teishima Jun , Maruyama Satoshi , Mochizuki Hideki , Oka Kiyotaka , Ikeda Kenichiro , Goto Keisuke , Nagamatsu Hirotaka , Hieda Keisuke , Shoji Koichi , Matsubara Akio
Published: May 2014

Introduction: We investigate the effectiveness of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer. We compare the characteristics of 2 sets of patients: (1) those in whom prostate cancer was detected via PSA screening (the PS group) and (2) those in whom prostate cancer was detected at the outpatient office (the non-PS group).Methods: Between 2002 and 2010, prostate cancer was detected in 315 patients by PSA screening. Their age, initial PSA level, pathological findings in biopsy specimens, clinical stage, and prognosis were compared with those of 497 prostate cancer patients diagnosed at the outpatient office of the Department of Urology, Hiroshima University, in the same period.Results: The rates of patients with initial PSA higher than 50 ng/mL, with a Gleason score of 8 or higher, and with clinical stage D were significantly lower in the PS group than those in the non-PS group. The 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival in the PS group was 91.3% and 98.2%, respectively; these results were significantly better than those in the non-PS group (86.4%, p = 0.0178, and 94.9%, p = 0.0112, respectively). A Cox hazard analysis showed that PSA screening was an independent predictive factor for cancer-specific survival.Conclusions: Although our study is limited by its retrospective nature and small size, the present data indicate that prostate cancer detected in the PS group showed earlier stage, lower grade, and better prognosis than in the non-PS group.
Sarcome à cellules claires du rein : À propos d’un cas chez un jeune de 17 ans
Authors: Mazdar Adil , Ait Sakel Adil , Essatara Younes , Beddouche Ali , Elsayegh Hachem , Iken Ali , Benslimane Lounis , Nouini Yassine
Published: May 2014

Le sarcome à cellules claires du rein (SCCR) se voit très rarement chez les jeunes. Il est caractérisé par une évolution agressive marquée par un taux élevé de récidive et de mortalité. Nous rapportons le cas d’un SCCR chez un patient de 17 ans et nous discutons de son apport et de son intérêt médical en vue d’une bonne prise encharge thérapeutique. L’agressivité du SCCR et la prolifération de métastases surtout osseuses impliquent qu’il ne faut pas méconnaître ce diagnostic afin de mettre en place un traitement adapté.
Are stone analysis results different with repeated sampling?
Authors: Lee Terence TN , Elkoushy Mohamed A , Andonian Sero
Published: May 2014

Introduction: We assessed differences in results of stone analyses on subsequent sampling.Methods: A retrospective review of patients with stone analyses at a tertiary stone centre between March 2006 and July 2012 was performed. All stones were analyzed at a centralized laboratory using infrared spectroscopy. Patients were grouped according to the first predominant stone type on record, as defined by the predominant stone component of at least 60%. Stone groups included calcium oxalate (CaOx), calcium phosphate (CaP), uric acid (UA), cystine, struvite, mixed CaOx-CaP and mixed CaOx-UA. All patients had a full metabolic stone workup.Results: Of the 303 patients with stone analyses, 118 (38.9%) patients had multiple stone analyses. The mean age was 53.4 ±15.1 years, and 87 (73.7%) were males. Of the 118, the initial stone analysis showed 43 CaOx, 38 CaP, 21 UA, 4 CaOx-CaP, 2 CaOx-UA, 6 cystine, and 4 struvite. There was a different stone composition in 25 (21.2%) patients with a median time delay of 64.5 days. Different compositions were found in 7 CaOx (to 3 CaP, 2 CaOx-CaP, and 2 UA), 5 CaP (to 3 CaOx and 2 CaOx-CaP), 3 UA (to 3 CaOx), 4 CaOx-CaP (to 2 CaOx, 1 UA and 1 CaP), 2 CaOx-UA (to 2 CaOx) and 4 struvite (to 3 CaP and 1 UA).Conclusions: Stone composition was different in 21.2% of patients on subsequent analyses.
Stego Optical Encryption Based on Chaotic Baker’s Map Transformation
Authors: Hussain Iqtadar , Gondal Muhammad Asif
Published: May 2014

In this article, an optical image encryption algorithm based on chaotic baker’s map is presented. The stego-image is encrypted with the help of double random phase encoding algorithm and then produced disorder with the help of chaotic transformation. Security test shows that the reading of proposed algorithm is very close to the optimal values.
First Exact Solutions for Flows of Rate Type Fluids in a Circular Duct that Applies a Constant Couple to the Fluid
Authors: Fetecau Corina , Rana Mehwish , Nigar Niat , Fetecau Constantin
Published: May 2014

Rotational flow of an Oldroyd-B fluid induced by an infinite circular cylinder that applies a constant couple to the fluid is studied by means of integral transforms. Such a problem is not solved in the existing literature for rate type fluids and the present solutions are based on a simple but important remark regarding the governing equation for the non-trivial shear stress. The solutions that have been obtained satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions and can easy be reduced to the similar solutions corresponding to Maxwell, second-grade, and Newtonian fluids performing the same motion. Finally, the influence of material parameters on the velocity and shear stress distributions is graphically underlined.
Notas críticas sobre uma trajetória adversa: uma viagem de Turim a Auschwitz
Authors: Oliveira Lucas Amaral de
Published: May 2014

Neste ensaio, concedo espaço à escrita autobiográfica do literato e químico italiano Primo Levi, seguindo seu testemunho em uma reconstituição cronológica que ele próprio sugere: a trajetória intelectual na juventude, as leis raciais do governo de Mussolini, a rápida participação na resistência italiana, o fenômeno da deportação, alguns aspectos de sua degradante viagem até Auschwitz e o período inicial da experiência de Häftling. Gostaria de adjudicar inteligibilidade a esse repertório temático, lendo-o como texto vivo, como “documento da barbárie”, e tendo como suporte algumas questões: de que forma Levi constrói um testemunho histórico e literário coerente sobre uma violência inaudita se a esse discurso contrapõe-se seu inverso inevitável, o trauma? Como apelar à reflexão e à seriedade éticas quando os problemas de uma experiência traumática invadem a narração?
Expliquer et contenir la prise de risque excessive des banques
Authors: Chaigneau Pierre
Published: May 2014

Nous confrontons les critiques récemment adressées à l’encontre des banques à la théorie économique. Nous expliquons pourquoi les banques ne sont fondamentalement pas des entreprises comme les autres, de sorte que leur gouvernance devrait être spéciale. Pour que la prise de risque dans le secteur financier ne soit pas excessive, nous proposons ensuite deux mesures qui s’attaquent aux racines du problème, c’est-à-dire la responsabilité limitée des actionnaires des banques associée à l’optimalité de secourir des banques en détresse d’une part, et les externalités négatives exercées par les faillites de banques d’autre part.
Local cell interactions and self-amplifying individual cell ingression drive amniote gastrulation
Authors: Voiculescu Octavian , Bodenstein Lawrence , Lau I-Jun , Stern Claudio D
Published: May 2014

Gastrulation generates three layers of cells (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) from a single sheet, while large scale cell movements occur across the entire embryo. In amniote (reptiles, birds, mammals) embryos, the deep layers arise by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) at a morphologically stable midline structure, the primitive streak (PS). We know very little about how these events are controlled or how the PS is maintained despite its continuously changing cellular composition. Using the chick, we show that isolated EMT events and ingression of individual cells start well before gastrulation. A Nodal-dependent ‘community effect’ then concentrates and amplifies EMT by positive feedback to form the PS as a zone of massive cell ingression. Computer simulations show that a combination of local cell interactions (EMT and cell intercalation) is sufficient to explain PS formation and the associated complex movements globally across a large epithelial sheet, without the need to invoke long-range signalling.
Diurnal variations of energetic particle radiation at the surface of Mars as observed by the Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector
Authors: Rafkin Scot C. R. , Zeitlin Cary , Ehresmann Bent , Hassler Don , Guo Jingnan , Köhler Jan , Wimmer‐Schweingruber Robert , Gomez‐Elvira Javier , Harri Ari‐Matti , Kahanpää Henrik , Brinza David E. , Weigle Gerald , Böttcher Stephan , Böhm Eckart , Burmeister Söenke , Martin Cesar , Reitz Güenther , Cucinotta Francis A. , Kim Myung‐Hee , Grinspoon David , Bullock Mark A. , Posner Arik ,   the MSL Science Team
Published: May 2014

The Radiation Assessment Detector onboard the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity is detecting the energetic particle radiation at the surface of Mars. Data collected over the first 350 Martian days of the nominal surface mission show a pronounced diurnal cycle in both the total dose rate and the neutral particle count rate. The diurnal variations detected by the Radiation Assessment Detector were neither anticipated nor previously considered in the literature. These cyclic variations in dose rate and count rate are shown to be the result of changes in atmospheric column mass driven by the atmospheric thermal tide that is characterized through pressure measurements obtained by the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station, also onboard the rover. In addition to bulk changes in the radiation environment, changes in atmospheric shielding forced by the thermal tide are shown to disproportionately affect heavy ions compared to H and He nuclei.
Terrain physical properties derived from orbital data and the first 360 sols of Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover observations in Gale Crater
Authors: Arvidson R. E. , Bellutta P. , Calef F. , Fraeman A. A. , Garvin J. B. , Gasnault O. , Grant J. A. , Grotzinger J. P. , Hamilton V. E. , Heverly M. , Iagnemma K. A. , Johnson J. R. , Lanza N. , Le Mouélic S. , Mangold N. , Ming D. W. , Mehta M. , Morris R. V. , Newsom H. E. , Rennó N. , Rubin D. , Schieber J. , Sletten R. , Stein N. T. , Thuillier F. , Vasavada A. R. , Vizcaino J. , Wiens R. C.
Published: May 2014

Physical properties of terrains encountered by the Curiosity rover during the first 360 sols of operations have been inferred from analysis of the scour zones produced by Sky Crane Landing System engine plumes, wheel touch down dynamics, pits produced by Chemical Camera (ChemCam) laser shots, rover wheel traverses over rocks, the extent of sinkage into soils, and the magnitude and sign of rover‐based slippage during drives. Results have been integrated with morphologic, mineralogic, and thermophysical properties derived from orbital data, and Curiosity‐based measurements, to understand the nature and origin of physical properties of traversed terrains. The hummocky plains (HP) landing site and traverse locations consist of moderately to well‐consolidated bedrock of alluvial origin variably covered by slightly cohesive, hard‐packed basaltic sand and dust, with both embedded and surface‐strewn rock clasts. Rock clasts have been added through local bedrock weathering and impact ejecta emplacement and form a pavement‐like surface in which only small clasts (<5 to 10 cm wide) have been pressed into the soil during wheel passages. The bedded fractured (BF) unit, site of Curiosity's first drilling activity, exposes several alluvial‐lacustrine bedrock units with little to no soil cover and varying degrees of lithification. Small wheel sinkage values (<1 cm) for both HP and BF surfaces demonstrate that compaction resistance countering driven‐wheel thrust has been minimal and that rover slippage while traversing across horizontal surfaces or going uphill, and skid going downhill, have been dominated by terrain tilts and wheel‐surface material shear modulus values.
Modeling permafrost thaw and ecosystem carbon cycle under annual and seasonal warming at an Arctic tundra site in Alaska
Authors: Li Jianwei , Luo Yiqi , Natali Susan , Schuur Edward A. G. , Xia Jianyang , Kowalczyk Eva , Wang Yingping
Published: May 2014

Permafrost thaw and its impacts on ecosystem carbon (C) dynamics are critical for predicting global climate change. It remains unclear whether annual and seasonal warming (winter or summer) affect permafrost thaw and ecosystem C balance differently. It is also required to compare the short‐term stepwise warming and long‐term gradual warming effects. This study validated a land surface model, the Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange model, at an Alaskan tundra site, and then used it to simulate permafrost thaw and ecosystem C flux under annual warming, winter warming, and summer warming. The simulations were conducted under stepwise air warming (2°C yr−1) during 2007–2011, and gradual air warming (0.04°C yr−1) during 2007–2056. We hypothesized that all warming treatments induced greater permafrost thaw, and larger ecosystem respiration than plant growth thus shifting the ecosystem C sink to C source. Results only partially supported our hypothesis. Climate warming further enhanced C sink under stepwise (6–15%) and gradual (1–8%) warming scenarios as followed by annual warming, winter warming, and summer warming. This is attributed to disproportionally low temperature increase in soil (0.1°C) in comparison to air warming (2°C). In a separate simulation, a greater soil warming (1.5°C under winter warming) led to a net ecosystem C source (i.e., 18 g C m−2 yr−1). This suggests that warming tundra can potentially provide positive feedbacks to global climate change. As a key variable, soil temperature and its dynamics, especially during wintertime, need to be carefully studied under global warming using both modeling and experimental approaches.
Heritability
Authors: Grove William M. , Menton William
Published: May 2014

The concept of heritability, widely used in several senses in both behavior and medical genetics, is explained. Generally, a heritability statistic is an intraclass correlation coefficient with sources of genetically caused variance in the numerator, and all sources of phenotype variance in the denominator. Examples are given of various sorts of genetic variability: additive (polygenic) variance, dominance variance, gene‐environment interaction and correlation, assortative mating, and (not a genetic source of variation, but often mistaken for one) common environment (e.g., in twin pairs). The concept of heritability of liability to develop some type of psychopathology is also discussed because such models are prevalent in psychopathology research.
A New Anti‐Counterfeiting Feature Relying on Invisible Luminescent Full Color Images Printed with Lanthanide‐Based Inks
Authors: Andres Julien , Hersch Roger D. , Moser Jacques‐Edouard , Chauvin Anne‐Sophie
Published: May 2014

Europium and terbium trisdipicolinate complexes are inkjet printed onto paper with commercially available desktop inkjet printers. Together with a commercial blue luminescent ink, the red‐emitting luminescent ink containing europium and the green‐emitting luminescent ink containing terbium are used to reproduce accurate full color images that are invisible under white light and appear under a 254 nm UV light. Such invisible luminescent images are attractive anti‐counterfeiting security features. The luminescent prints have a color range (gamut) nearly as wide as the gamut of a standard sRGB display. The gamut of the luminescent prints is determined by relying on a simple model predicting the relative spectral radiant emittances of any printed luminescent color halftone. The model is also used to establish the correspondence between the surface coverages of the printed luminescent inks and the emitted color of these luminescent halftones. The accuracy of the spectral prediction model is very good and can be rationalized by the absence of quenching when the luminescent lanthanide complexes are printed in superposition with the other luminescent materials.
Solution Processing and Resist‐Free Nanoimprint Fabrication of Thin Film Chalcogenide Glass Devices: Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Photonic Integration
Authors: Zou Yi , Moreel Loise , Lin Hongtao , Zhou Jie , Li Lan , Danto Sylvain , Musgraves J. David , Koontz Erick , Richardson Kathleen , Dobson Kevin D. , Birkmire Robert , Hu Juejun
Published: May 2014

Organic polymer materials are widely credited with extreme versatility for thin film device processing. However, they generally lack the high refractive indices of inorganic semiconductors essential for tight optical confinement in planar integrated photonic circuits. Inorganic–organic hybrid photonic systems overcome these limits by combining both types of materials, although such hybrid integration remains challenging given the vastly different properties of the two types of materials. In this paper, a new approach is used to realize inorganic–organic hybrid photonics using chalcogenide glass (ChG) materials. Known as an amorphous semiconductor, the glass possesses high refractive indices, and can be prepared in a thin film form through solution deposition and patterned via direct thermal nanoimprinting, processing methods traditionally exclusive to polymer materials only. Sub‐micrometer waveguides, microring resonators, and diffraction gratings fabricated from solution processed (SP) ChG films can be monolithically integrated with organic polymer substrates to create mechanically flexible, high‐index‐contrast photonic devices. The resonators exhibit a high quality factor (Q‐factor) of 80 000 near 1550 nm wavelength. Free‐standing, flexible ChG gratings whose diffraction properties can be readily tailored by conformal integration on nonplanar surfaces are also demonstrated.
Introduction: Brain malformations
Authors: Mirzaa Ghayda M. , Paciorkowski Alex R.
Published: May 2014

This issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Seminar Series Part C is dedicated to congenital brain malformations with a special focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying this fascinating, and often complex, group of developmental brain disorders. As with most genetic disorders, the past few years have witnessed a dramatic leap in our understanding of the molecular basis of these malformations that include both constitutional and post‐zygotic (or mosaic) genetic aberrations. This is best exemplified by the recent identification of mutations within components of the PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR pathway in hemimegalencephaly and megalencephaly syndromes, and the rapidly increased identification of mutations within the tubulin family in a broad range of cortical and non‐cortical brain malformations. These discoveries, particularly of the emerging “tubulinopathies” spectrum, have not only expanded our knowledge of these disorders but challenge our existing, and perhaps overly simplistic, classification of these malformations based on the primary neuronal stage at which the abnormality occurs. It is our hope that this series will facilitate a deeper understanding of these malformations beyond their clinical and neuroimaging features and syndromic associations to their molecular and pathway underpinnings. We believe this knowledge will most certainly be instrumental as we move into the era of delineating genotype‐phenotype correlations and, ultimately, pathway‐based therapies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Donor–Acceptor Molecules with Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence
Authors: Ishimatsu Ryoichi , Matsunami Shigeyuki , Kasahara Takashi , Mizuno Jun , Edura Tomohiko , Adachi Chihaya , Nakano Koji , Imato Toshihiko
Published: May 2014

The electrochemistry and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of four kinds of electron donor–acceptor molecules exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) is presented. TADF molecules can harvest light energy from the lowest triplet state by spin up‐conversion to the lowest singlet state because of small energy gap between these states. Intense green to red ECL is emitted from the TADF molecules by applying a square‐wave voltage. Remarkably, it is shown that the efficiency of ECL from one of the TADF molecule could reach about 50 %, which is comparable to its photoluminescence quantum yield.
Electrochemical Synthesis of a Microporous Conductive Polymer Based on a Metal–Organic Framework Thin Film
Authors: Lu Chunjing , Ben Teng , Xu Shixian , Qiu Shilun
Published: May 2014

A new approach to preparing 3D microporous conductive polymer has been demonstrated in the electrochemical synthesis of a porous polyaniline network with the utilization of a MOF thin film supported on a conducting substrate. The prepared porous polyaniline with well‐defined uniform micropores of 0.84 nm exhibits a high BET surface area of 986 m2 g−1 and a high electric conductivity of 0.125 S cm−1 when doped with I2, which is superior to existing porous conducting materials of porous MOFs, CMPs, and COFs.
Strongly Veined Carbon Nanoleaves as a Highly Efficient Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst
Authors: Ye Tian‐Nan , Lv Li‐Bing , Li Xin‐Hao , Xu Miao , Chen Jie‐Sheng
Published: May 2014

Effective integration of one‐dimensional carbon nanofibers (CNF) and two‐dimensional carbon sheets into three‐dimensional (3D) conductive frameworks is essential for their practical applications as electrode materials. Herein, a novel “vein‐leaf”‐type 3D complex of carbon nanofibers with nitrogen‐doped graphene (NG) was prepared through a simple thermal condensation of urea and bacterial cellulose. During the formation of the 3D complex CNF@NG, the graphene species was tethered to CNF via carbon–carbon bonds. Such an interconnected 3D network facilitates both the electron transfer and mass diffusion for electrochemical reactions.
All‐Inorganic Nanocrystals as a Glue for BiSbTe Grains: Design of Interfaces in Mesostructured Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Son Jae Sung , Zhang Hao , Jang Jaeyoung , Poudel Bed , Waring Al , Nally Luke , Talapin Dmitri V.
Published: May 2014

Nano‐ and mesostructuring is widely used in thermoelectric (TE) materials. It introduces numerous interfaces and grain boundaries that scatter phonons and decrease thermal conductivity. A new approach has been developed for the rational design of the interfaces in TE materials by using all‐inorganic nanocrystals (NCs) that serve as a “glue” for mesoscopic grains. For example, circa 10 nm Bi NCs capped with (N2H5)4Sb2Te7 chalcogenidometallate ligands can be used as an additive to BiSbTe particles. During heat treatment, NCs fill up the voids between particles and act as a “glue”, joining grains in hot‐pressed pellets or solution‐processed films. The chemical design of NC glue allowed the selective enhancement or decrease of the majority‐carrier concentration near the grain boundaries, and thus resulted in doped or de‐doped interfaces in granular TE material. Chemically engineered interfaces can be used as to optimize power factor and thermal conductivity.
Magnetic and Optoelectronic Properties of Gold Nanocluster–Thiophene Assembly
Authors: Qin Wei , Lohrman Jessica , Ren Shenqiang
Published: May 2014

Nanohybrids consisting of Au nanocluster and polythiophene nanowire assemblies exhibit unique thermal‐responsive optical behaviors and charge‐transfer controlled magnetic and optoelectronic properties. The ultrasmall Au nanocluster enhanced photoabsorption and conductivity effectively improves the photocurrent of nanohybrid based photovoltaics, leading to an increase of power conversion efficiency by 14 % under AM 1.5 illumination. In addition, nanohybrids exhibit electric field controlled spin resonance and magnetic field sensing behaviors, which open up the potential of charge‐transfer complex system where the magnetism and optoelectronics interact.
A Trinuclear Defect‐Grid Iron(II) Spin Crossover Complex with a Large Hysteresis Loop that is Readily Silenced by Solvent Vapor
Authors: Steinert Markus , Schneider Benjamin , Dechert Sebastian , Demeshko Serhiy , Meyer Franc
Published: May 2014

A new type of [2×2] matrix‐like complexes with one vertex devoid of a metal ion has been selectively synthesized. The defect‐grid triiron(II) complex exhibits a sharp and complete spin‐crossover (SCO) from the 1HS‐2LS to the 2HS‐1LS state (HS: high spin; LS: low spin) with wide hysteresis near room temperature. Although the “structurally soft” H‐bonded vertex, elastically coupled to the metal ions, accounts for the stabilization of spin states, it also mediates a dramatic, yet reversible, response to the uptake of exogenous solvent molecules leading to silencing of the SCO. The high sensitivity towards those guest molecules, the short response time upon exposure, and the smooth reversibility of guest binding are favorable characteristics for future sensing applications of such defect grids.
Synthesis, characterization and properties of cellulose‐grafted glycine derivatives
Authors: Guo Ming , Wang Huan , Sun Liping , Li Yanjun
Published: May 2014

Novel Schiff base cellulose derivatives were successfully prepared by a bridge‐coupling reaction from dialdehyde cellulose (DAC), which was obtained by the selective oxidation of sodium periodate to cotton fibers, in which the glycine (Gly) was bonded onto the DAC chains by a Schiff base reaction with p‐nitrobenzaldehyde as a bridge. The structures of the graft copolymer (DAC‐g‐Gly) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state NMR, and scanning electronic microscopy. The thermodynamic properties were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, and the biodegradability was also tested by the microbial degradation and the active sludge method. The results indicate that Gly was connected to DAC by chemical bonding, which changed the thermal stability, and that DAC‐g‐Gly could be biodegraded significantly. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40929.
Antioxidant, antifungal, water binding, and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) film incorporated with essential oil as a potential wound dressing material
Authors: Kavoosi Gholamreza , Nateghpoor Behroz , Dadfar Seyed Mohammad Mahdi , Dadfar Seyed Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2014

In this study, the properties of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films incorporated with Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMO) as a potential antioxidant/antibacterial material was investigated. PVA films were prepared from PVA solutions (2% w/v) containing different concentrations of ZMO. Water solubility, moisture absorption, water swelling, and water vapor permeability for pure PVA films were 57 ± 1.1, 99 ± 3.2%, 337 ± 8%, and 0.453 ± 0.015 g mm/m2 h, respectively. Incorporation of ZMO into PVA films caused a significant decrease in water swelling and moisture absorption and increase in solubility and water vapor permeability. Tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break for pure PVA films were 13.5 ± 0.61 MPa, 15.2 ± 0.8 MPa, and 216 ± 4%, respectively. Incorporation of ZMO into the PVA films caused a significant decrease in tensile strength and elastic modulus and increase in elongation at break of the films. Pure PVA film showed UV‐visible light absorbance ranging from 280 to 440 nm with maximum absorbance at 320 nm. Addition of ZMO caused a significant increase in light absorbance and opacity. PVA films exhibited no antioxidant and antifungal activities, whereas PVA/ZMO films exhibited excellent antioxidant and antifungal properties. Although the bioactivity PVA films were improved by the addition of ZMO, however, the mechanical properties and water binding capacity of the films were weaken slightly. Thus, ZMO emulsified in the ethanol not compatible with PVA matrix and more suitable emulsifier was needed in order to obtain strong film with higher mechanical properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40937.
Polymeric micelles based on hyaluronic acid and phospholipids: Design, characterization, and cytotoxicity
Authors: Saadat Ebrahim , Amini Mohsen , Dinarvand Rassoul , Dorkoosh Farid A.
Published: May 2014

Novel amphiphilic copolymers were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR using Hyaluronic acid (HA) as a hydrophilic part and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) including 1,2‐dimiristoyl‐sn‐glycerol‐3‐phosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) and 1,2‐distearoyl‐sn‐glycerol‐3‐phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) as a hydrophobic segment. The newly developed HA‐PE copolymers form a micelle in an aqueous media. The micellar properties, including critical micelle concentration (CMC) with pyrene as a fluorescence probe and micelle morphology, using transmission electron microscopy were assessed. It was found that the CMC values for HA‐DMPE and HA‐DSPE were 15.5 and 13.4 μg/mL, respectively. Also micelles were spherical in shape and within the size range of 162–214 nm. The solubility of cholesterol, a highly hydrophobic compound, was enhanced to 0.25 mg/mL which is much higher than it is in water (0.0001 mg/mL). In vitro cytotoxicity assay of HA‐PE copolymers showed no toxicity on human breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7). These results suggest that HA‐PE micelles could be considered as a promising carrier for delivery of hydrophobic compounds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40944.
Spherical activated carbon derived from spherical cellulose and its performance as EDLC electrode
Authors: Tsubota Toshiki , Nagata Daisuke , Murakami Naoya , Ohno Teruhisa
Published: May 2014

Spherical activated carbons (ca. 30–100 μm in diameter) were synthesized from commercial spherical cellulose beads. The addition of guanidine phosphate was performed as the pretreatment, and CO2 activation was applied for enhancing the specific surface area. The addition of guanidine phosphate drastically improved the yield of carbon during the activation process. The specific surface area reached 1545 m2 g−1 for the sample heat‐treated at 850°C for 1 h in flowing N2 and continuously for 3 h in flowing CO2 activation. The calculated capacitance values per area (F m−2) for the pore size of less than 1 nm was large in the case of small current density. The distortion of the solvation shell could be the reason for the large capacitance value for the small pore size of less than 1 nm. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40950.
Development of a paper‐type tyrosinase biosensor for detection of phenolic compounds
Authors: Şenyurt Özge , Eyidoğan Füsun , Yılmaz Remziye , Öz M. Tufan , Özalp V. Cengiz , Arıca Yakup , Öktem Hüseyin A.
Published: May 2014

A low‐cost, portable, and disposable paper‐type tyrosinase biosensor was developed for determination of phenolic compounds, using a paper‐strip absorption method. Tyrosinase and a chromophore (3‐methyl‐2‐benzothiazolinone hydrazone) were immobilized on paper strips to manufacture the biosensor, which was tested on a nontoxic substrate (l‐dopamine). The biosensor was responsive to phenolic compounds such as 4‐chlorophenol, catechol, m‐cresol, and p‐cresol. The sensor showed stability for 70 days. The developed biosensor can be used for remote on‐site qualitative monitoring of phenolic compounds in wastewater samples.
Molecular spectroscopic studies on the interactions of rhein and emodin with thioglycolic acid‐capped core/shell CdTe/CdS quantum dots and their analytical applications
Authors: Li Dan , Liu Shaopu , Shen Yizhong , Yang Jidong , He Youqiu
Published: May 2014

Water‐soluble thioglycolic acid (TGA)‐capped core/shell CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized. The interactions of rhein and emodin with TGA‐CdTe/CdS QDs were evaluated by fluorescence and ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy. Experimental results showed that the high fluorescence intensity of TGA‐CdTe/CdS QDs could be effectively quenched in the presence of rhein (or emodin) at 570 nm, which may have resulted from an electron transfer process from excited TGA‐CdTe/CdS QDs to rhein (or emodin). The quenching intensity was in proportion to the concentration of both rhein and emodin in a certain range. Under optimized conditions, the linear ranges of TGA‐CdTe/CdS QDs fluorescence intensity versus the concentration of rhein and emodin were 0.09650–60 µg/mL and 0.1175–70 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9984 and 0.9965, respectively. The corresponding detection limits (3σ/S) of rhein and emodin were 28.9 and 35.2 ng/mL, respectively. This proposed method was applied to determine rhein and emodin in human urine samples successfully with remarkable advantages such as high sensitivity, short analysis time, low cost and easy operation. Based on this, a simple, rapid and highly sensitive method to determine rhein (or emodin) was proposed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tunable white light emission from single‐phased Li2SrSiO4:Dy3+ phosphors by co‐doping with Eu3+
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Wei , Shen Xi‐Hai , Peng You‐Shun , Ren Yan‐Jun , Mao Zhi‐Yong
Published: May 2014

A series of single‐phase full‐color emitting Li2Sr1−x−ySiO4:xDy3+,yEu3+ phosphors were synthesized by solid‐state reaction and characterized by X‐ray diffraction and photoluminescence analyses. The samples showed emission peaks at 488 nm (blue), 572 nm (yellow), 592 nm (orange) and 617 nm (red) under 393 nm excitation. The photoluminescence excitation spectra, comprising the Eu–O charge transfer band and 4f–4f transition bands of Dy3+ and Eu3+, range from 200 to 500 nm. The Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates for Li2Sr0.98−xSiO4:0.02Dy3+,xEu3+ phosphors were simulated. By manipulating Eu3+ and Dy3+ concentrations, the color points of Li2Sr1−x−ySiO4:xDy3+,yEu3+ were tuned from the greenish‐white region to white light and eventually to reddish‐white region, demonstrating that a tunable white light can be obtained by Li2Sr1−x−ySiO4:xDy3+,yEu3+ phosphors. Li2Sr0.98−xSiO4:0.02Dy3+, xEu3+ can serve as a white‐light‐emitting phosphor for phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diode. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of silver nanoparticles to the chemiluminescence determination of cefditoren pivoxil using the luminol–ferricyanide system
Authors: Alarfaj Nawal A. , Aly Fatma A. , El‐Tohamy Maha F.
Published: May 2014

A new simple, accurate and sensitive sequential injection analysis chemiluminescence (CL) detection method for the determination of cefditoren pivoxil (CTP) has been developed. The developed method was based on the enhancement effect of silver nanoparticles on the CL signal arising from a luminol–potassium ferricyanide reaction in the presence of CTP. The optimum conditions relevant to the effect of luminol, potassium ferricyanide and silver nanoparticle concentrations were investigated. The proposed method showed linear relationships between relative CL intensity and the investigated drug concentration at the range 0.001–5000 ng/mL, (r = 0.9998, n = 12) with a detection limit of 0.5 pg/mL and quantification limit of 0.001 ng/mL. The relative standard deviation was 1.6%. The proposed method was employed for the determination of CTP in bulk drug, in its pharmaceutical dosage forms and biological fluids such as human serum and urine. The interference of some common additive compounds such as glucose, lactose, starch, talc and magnesium stearate was investigated. In addition, the interference of some related cephalosporins was tested. No interference was recorded. The obtained sequential injection analysis‐CL results were statistically compared with those from a reported method and did not show any significant differences. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of interactions between methoxatin disodium salt and human serum albumin by pressure‐assisted capillary electrophoresis/frontal analysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Lijuan , Chen Dongying
Published: May 2014

Pressure‐assisted capillary electrophoresis (PACE)/frontal analysis (FA) and circular dichroism spectroscopy were utilized to investigate the interactions between methoxatin disodium salt (PQQ‐2Na) and human serum albumin (HSA). With the PACE/FA method, sodium phosphate buffer solution (67 mm, pH 7.4) was used as the background electrolyte. Hydrodynamic injection at 50 mbar for 50 s and external pressure of 50 mbar were applied. The binding constant and the number of primary binding sites to HSA were obtained under fixed concentration of PQQ‐2Na (100 µm) and increasing HSA concentration (0~475 µm). The thermodynamic parameters characterized the main acting forces of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The displacement experiments using phenylbutazone and flurbiprofen as ligand markers suggested that the binding site was the Sudlow site I of the HSA molecule. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was further employed to evaluate the conformation changes of HSA under the interaction of PQQ‐2Na. This work provides comprehensive information for understanding the interactions between PQQ‐2Na and HSA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.