bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts and indicators of change in lotic ecosystems
Authors: Friberg Nikolai
Published: August 2014

Fresh waters have seen the largest decline in biodiversity of any ecosystem, with lotic ecosystems particularly impacted by human activities. The main drivers of environmental change relate primarily to agriculture, urbanization, and industrial production that have resulted in severe habitat degradation in streams and rivers worldwide. The increasing impact of climate change and invasive species has put further pressure on these systems. For more than a century, status of rivers and streams has been assessed using biological indicators and represents a prime example of applying ecological knowledge to address societal issues. Today, legislative regulations and water management rely primarily on measurements of ecological status through the assessment of biotic communities. There has been a continuous development of these biological indicators but primarily based on fundamental approaches that date back to the original assessment systems. The indicators used today ignore large parts of what is occurring in the ecosystem and cannot, in most cases, diagnose the cause of degradation with a reasonable precision. There is clearly a need to improve existing assessment systems through new and innovative approaches that, as an example, include ecosystem processes and can be linked more closely to the services that lotic ecosystems provide. This article critically reviews the use of biological indicators in the context of inherent properties of lotic ecosystems and types of degradation, and suggests how assessment could be refined through applying a number of additional approaches to those already used. WIREs Water 2014, 1:513–531. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1040

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
More valuable dead than deterred? Crop‐raiding bears in Lao PDR
Authors: Scotson Lorraine , Vannachomchan Kongseng , Sharp Thomas
Published: August 2014

Human–bear conflicts may contribute to population declines of Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in Southeast Asia. We investigated crop‐raiding behaviors by bears and responses from affected farmers in and around a protected area in northern Lao PDR during August–October 2011. We interviewed farmers and made visual inspections of raided fields in 6 villages. Villagers reported that more crops were lost to bears than to all other wildlife species combined. Commercial and local sweet corn fields were the most commonly damaged. Perceived crop damage by bears varied widely among villages (11‐39% of total area) and individual farmers (1–90%). Farmers' estimates of the extent of bear crop damage were higher than our estimates of the same fields. Although farmers reported Asiatic black bears as more common crop‐raiders than sun bears, this assessment is suspect, because bears were reported to raid fields exclusively at night. Locals used a wide range of mainly ineffective methods to deter bears from crops. Clearing paths around crop fields was most common (approx. 90% of farmers). Few farmers admitted using snares to remove offending bears, because this is illegal. However, the collective evidence indicates that snaring does occur, and farmers would gain more by killing and selling bears for their parts than by protecting their fields from bear damage. This may explain the unexpected finding that most farmers (approx. 90%) said they liked bears in the area, and did not report damage to authorities. Consequently, they may not be motivated to try or maintain new deterrent techniques. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Increased and early lipolysis in children with long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency during fast
Authors: Haglind C. Bieneck , Nordenström A. , Ask S. , von Döbeln U. , Gustafsson J. , Stenlid M. Halldin
Published: August 2014

Children with long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHAD) have a defect in the degradation of long‐chain fatty acids and are at risk of hypoketotic hypoglycemia and insufficient energy production as well as accumulation of toxic fatty acid intermediates. Knowledge on substrate metabolism in children with LCHAD deficiency during fasting is limited. Treatment guidelines differ between centers, both as far as length of fasting periods and need for night feeds are concerned. To increase the understanding of fasting intolerance and improve treatment recommendations, children with LCHAD deficiency were investigated with stable isotope technique, microdialysis, and indirect calometry, in order to assess lipolysis and glucose production during 6 h of fasting. We found an early and increased lipolysis and accumulation of long chain acylcarnitines after 4 h of fasting, albeit no patients developed hypoglycemia. The rate of glycerol production, reflecting lipolysis, averaged 7.7 ± 1.6 µmol/kg/min, which is higher compared to that of peers. The rate of glucose production was normal for age; 19.6 ± 3.4 µmol/kg/min (3.5 ± 0.6 mg/kg/min). Resting energy expenditure was also normal, even though the respiratory quotient was increased indicating mainly glucose oxidation. The results show that lipolysis and accumulation of long chain acylcarnitines occurs before hypoglycemia in fasting children with LCHAD, which may indicate more limited fasting tolerance than previously suggested.
Changes in soil heterotrophic respiration, carbon availability, and microbial function in seven forests along a climate gradient
Authors: Fang Huajun , Cheng Shulan , Wang Yongsheng , Yu Guirui , Xu Minjie , Dang Xusheng , Li Linsen , Wang Lei
Published: August 2014

Soil microbial communities play an essential role in soil carbon (C) emission and C sequestration in forest ecosystems. However, little information is available regarding the relationship between soil C dynamics and microbial substrate utilization at large scales. Along the North–South Transect of Eastern China (NSTEC), seven forests representative of boreal, temperate and tropical biomes were examined. Soil heterotrophic respiration (Rh), soil dissolved organic C (DOC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and microbial community‐level physiological profiles (CLPPs) were investigated using biochemical measurements, static chamber‐gas chromatography analysis, and Biolog‐Eco microplates, respectively. We found that soil Rh rates were significantly higher in subtropical and boreal forests than in temperate forests. Conversely, the concentrations of soil DOC and MBC, as well as microbial metabolic activity and functional diversity, were consistently higher in temperate forests than in subtropical forests. There were considerably different substrate utilization profiles among the boreal, temperate, and subtropical forests. Soil microorganisms from the temperate and boreal forests mainly metabolized high‐energy substrates, while those from the subtropical forests used all substrates equally. In addition, soil Rh rates were significantly and negatively related to soil labile C concentrations, total metabolic activity, and the intensity of individual substrate utilization, indicating that soil microbes assimilated more soil substrates, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. Overall, our study suggests that climate factors, as well as substrate availability, dominate the activities and functions of soil microbes at large scales.
Acceptable pregnancy rate of unstimulated intrauterine insemination: a retrospective analysis of 17,830 cycles
Authors: Honda Tetsuro , Tsutsumi Mai , Komoda Fumio , Tatsumi Kenichi
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To evaluate the pregnancy rate (PR) of unstimulated intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Methods

This was a retrospective study in a private fertility clinic. Between 2004 and 2013, a total of 4,045 women underwent 17,830 cycles of unstimulated IUI. The etiologies of subfertility in the couples were unexplained (51 %), male factor (36 %), coital problems (9.5 %), and cervical factor (3.5 %).

Results

The PRs/cycle, between the 1st and 9th trials, in women <35, 35–37, 38–40, 41–42, and >42 years of age were 8.2, 7.3, 5.5, 3.6, and 0.9 %, respectively. In 10,076 cycles in which the male partner had a total motile sperm count ≥5 million, the PRs in the respective age groups were 9.9, 8.6, 6.1, 4.8, and 1.2 %. The largest‐sized reported PRs for clomiphene citrate (CC)/IUI in the respective age groups were 11.5, 9.2, 7.3 4.3, and 1.0 % (4,199 cycles in total, Dovey et al., FertilSteril, 2008;90:2281–2286). There were no significant differences in PRs between unstimulated IUI and CC/IUI.

Conclusion

PR for unstimulated IUI was similar to the reported PR for CC/IUI. Although this was a retrospective study without a control group, to reduce multiple pregnancy rate, we believe that unstimulated IUI is a reasonable treatment.
Trajectories of prosocial behaviors conducive to civic outcomes during the transition to adulthood: The predictive role of family dynamics☆
Authors: Luengo Kanacri Bernadette P. , Pastorelli Concetta , Zuffianò Antonio , Eisenberg Nancy , Ceravolo Rosalba , Caprara Gian Vittorio
Published: August 2014

The current study explored the prediction of civic engagement by diverse trajectories of prosocial behaviors as well family dynamics (i.e., filial self‐efficacy and relational parent–child support) across four times of assessment (from age 16–17 to age 22–23) during the transition to adulthood. Three different trajectories of prosocial behaviors were identified for 686 Italian youths: high‐increasing (18%), medium‐stable (48%), and low‐stable (34%). An increasing pattern of change in prosocial behaviors was predicted by filial self‐efficacy at age 16–17, which in turn mediated longitudinal relations to civic engagement and civic values at age 22–23. Results highlighted that during the transition to adulthood youths' beliefs about their ability to negotiate with their parents without losing autonomy and relatedness are relevant in promoting prosocial behaviors and civic involvement, especially in the context of Mediterranean countries.
The clinical use of cerebrospinal fluid biomarker testing for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis: A consensus paper from the Alzheimer's Biomarkers Standardization Initiative
Authors: Molinuevo José Luis , Blennow Kaj , Dubois Bruno , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Lewczuk Piotr , Perret‐Liaudet Armand , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Parnetti Lucilla
Published: August 2014

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers β‐amyloid 1‐42 (Aβ1‐42), also expressed as Aβ1‐42:Aβ1‐40 ratio, T‐tau, and P‐tau181P, have proven diagnostic accuracy for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD). How to use, interpret, and disclose biomarker results drives the need for standardization.

Methods

Previous Alzheimer's Biomarkers Standardization Initiative meetings discussed preanalytical issues affecting Aβ1‐42 and tau in CSF. This second round of consensus meetings focused on issues related to clinical use of AD CSF biomarkers.

Results

Consensus was reached that lumbar puncture for AD CSF biomarker analysis be considered as a routine clinical test in patients with early‐onset dementia, at the prodromal stage or with atypical AD. Moreover, consensus was reached on which biomarkers to use, how results should be interpreted, and potential confounding factors.

Conclusions

Changes in Aβ1‐42, T‐tau, and P‐tau181P allow diagnosis of AD in its prodromal stage. Conversely, having all three biomarkers in the normal range rules out AD. Intermediate conditions require further patient follow‐up.
Prevalence of dementia in the oldest old: The Monzino 80‐plus population based study
Authors: Lucca Ugo , Tettamanti Mauro , Logroscino Giancarlo , Tiraboschi Pietro , Landi Cristina , Sacco Leonardo , Garrì Mariateresa , Ammesso Sonia , Bertinotti Chiara , Biotti Anna , Gargantini Elena , Piedicorcia Alessandro , Nobili Alessandro , Pasina Luca , Franchi Carlotta , Djade Codjo Djignefa , Riva Emma , Recchia Angela
Published: August 2014

Background

Epidemiological studies commonly include too few of the oldest old to provide accurate prevalence rates of dementia in older age groups. Estimates of the number of those affected, necessary for healthcare planning, are thus flawed. The objective is to estimate the prevalence of dementia and levels of dementia severity in a very large population of oldest old and to investigate the relation between age and dementia prevalence in the extreme ages.

Methods

The Monzino 80‐plus is a population‐based study among residents 80 years or older in Varese province, Italy. Dementia cases were identified using a one‐phase design. The survey was conducted in the participant's place of residence, whether home or institution. Both participants and informants were interviewed. Information was available for 2504 of the 2813 residents (89%).

Results

In all, 894 individuals (714 women and 180 men) met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition) criteria for dementia, for a standardized prevalence of 25.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.4, 27.2%), 28.5% (95% CI: 26.2, 30.9) in women and 18.6% (95% CI: 15.2, 21.9) in men. Age‐specific prevalence estimates of dementia increased with age from 15.7% at age 80 to 84 years to 65.9% at age 100 years and higher. For women, prevalence continued to rise after age 100 years, from 64.8% at age 100 to 101 years to 76.1% at age 102 to 107 years. After age 85 years prevalence rates tended to rise linearly, on average 2.6% per year in women and 1.8% in men. About 80% of the cases were moderate or severe. The frequency of mild dementia decreased and that of severe dementia increased with age.

Conclusion

One‐quarter of 80‐plus year olds are affected by dementia, mostly moderate or severe. Prevalence rates of dementia do not level off, but continue to rise gradually even in the extreme ages.
The Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline (IDCD) study: Design and baseline characteristics
Authors: Beeri Michal Schnaider , Ravona‐Springer Ramit , Moshier Erin , Schmeidler James , Godbold James , Karpati Tomas , Leroith Derek , Koifman Keren , Kravitz Efrat , Price Rachel , Hoffman Hadas , Silverman Jeremy M. , Heymann Anthony
Published: August 2014

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased risk of dementia. The prospective longitudinal Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline study aims at identifying T2D‐related characteristics associated with cognitive decline.

Methods

Subjects are population‐based T2D 65+, initially cognitively intact. Medical conditions, blood examinations, and medication use data are since 1998; cognitive, functional, demographic, psychiatric, DNA, and inflammatory marker study assessments were conducted every 18 months. Because the duration of T2D reflects its chronicity and implications, we compared short (0–4.99 years), moderate (5–9.99), and long (10+) duration for the first 897 subjects.

Results

The long duration group used more T2D medications, had higher glucose, lower glomerular filtration rate, slower walking speed, and poorer cognitive functioning. Duration was not associated with most medical, blood, urine, and vital characteristics.

Conclusions

Tracking cognition, with face‐to‐face evaluations, exploiting 15 years of historical detailed computerized, easily accessible, and validated T2D‐related characteristics may provide novel insights into T2D‐related dementia.
The use of biomarkers for the etiologic diagnosis of MCI in Europe: An EADC survey
Authors: Bocchetta Martina , Galluzzi Samantha , Kehoe Patrick Gavin , Aguera Eduardo , Bernabei Roberto , Bullock Roger , Ceccaldi Mathieu , Dartigues Jean‐François , de Mendonça Alexandre , Didic Mira , Eriksdotter Maria , Félician Olivier , Frölich Lutz , Gertz Hermann‐Josef , Hallikainen Merja , Hasselbalch Steen G. , Hausner Lucrezia , Heuser Isabell , Jessen Frank , Jones Roy W. , Kurz Alexander , Lawlor Brian , Lleo Alberto , Martinez‐Lage Pablo , Mecocci Patrizia , Mehrabian Shima , Monsch Andreas , Nobili Flavio , Nordberg Agneta , Rikkert Marcel Olde , Orgogozo Jean‐Marc , Pasquier Florence , Peters Oliver , Salmon Eric , Sánchez‐Castellano Carmen , Santana Isabel , Sarazin Marie , Traykov Latchezar , Tsolaki Magda , Visser Pieter Jelle , Wallin Åsa K. , Wilcock Gordon , Wilkinson David , Wolf Henrike , Yener Görsev , Zekry Dina , Frisoni Giovanni B.
Published: August 2014

We investigated the use of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers in European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium centers and assessed their perceived usefulness for the etiologic diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We surveyed availability, frequency of use, and confidence in diagnostic usefulness of markers of brain amyloidosis (amyloid positron emission tomography [PET], cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] Aβ42) and neurodegeneration (medial temporal atrophy [MTA] on MR, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography [FDG‐PET], CSF tau). The most frequently used biomarker is visually rated MTA (75% of the 37 responders reported using it “always/frequently”) followed by CSF markers (22%), FDG‐PET (16%), and amyloid‐PET (3%). Only 45% of responders perceive MTA as contributing to diagnostic confidence, where the contribution was rated as “moderate”. Seventy‐nine percent of responders felt “very/extremely” comfortable delivering a diagnosis of MCI due to AD when both amyloid and neuronal injury biomarkers were abnormal (P < .02 versus any individual biomarker). Responders largely agreed that a combination of amyloidosis and neuronal injury biomarkers was a strongly indicative AD signature.
A structure‐based approach to predict predisposition to amyloidosis
Authors: Ahmed Abdullah B. , Znassi Nadia , Château Marie‐Thérèse , Kajava Andrey V.
Published: August 2014

Background

Neurodegenerative diseases and other amyloidoses are linked to the formation of amyloid fibrils. It has been shown that the ability to form these fibrils is coded by the amino acid sequence. Existing methods for the prediction of amyloidogenicity generate an unsatisfactory high number of false positives when tested against sequences of the disease‐related proteins.

Methods

Recently, it has been shown that the three‐dimensional structure of a majority of disease‐related amyloid fibrils contains a β‐strand‐loop‐β‐strand motif called β‐arch. Using this information, we have developed a novel bioinformatics approach for the prediction of amyloidogenicity.

Results

The benchmark results show the superior performance of our method over the existing programs.

Conclusions

As genome sequencing becomes more affordable, our method provides an opportunity to create individual risk profiles for the neurodegenerative, age‐related, and other diseases ushering in an era of personalized medicine. It will also be used in the large‐scale analysis of proteomes to find new amyloidogenic proteins.
Overbank flooding and human occupation of the Shalongka site in the Upper Yellow River Valley, northeast Tibet Plateau in relation to climate change since the last deglaciation
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Dong Guanghui , Wen Lijuan , Chen Fahu
Published: August 2014

Increased flooding caused by global warming threatens the safety of coastal and river basin dwellers, but the relationship of flooding frequency, human settlement and climate change at long time scales remains unclear. Paleolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age cultural deposits interbedded with flood sediments were found at the Shalongka site near the north bank of the upper Yellow River, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. We reconstruct the history of overbank flooding and human occupation at the Shalongka site by application of optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon dating, grain size, magnetic susceptibility and color reflectance analysis of overbank sediment and paleosols. The reliability of OSL dating has been confirmed by internal checks and comparing with independent14C ages; alluvial OSL ages have shown a systematic overestimation due to poor bleaching. Our results indicate that the Yellow River episodically overflowed and reached the Shalongka site from at least ~ 16 ka and lasting until ~ 3 ka. Soil development and reduced flooding occurred at ~ 15, ~ 8.3–5.4, and after ~ 3 ka, and prehistoric populations spread to the Shalongka site area at ~ 8.3, ~ 5.4, and ~ 3 ka. We suggest that climate change influenced the overbank flooding frequency and then affected prehistoric human occupation of the Shalongka site.
A Matter of Class: Taxonomies of Religion
Authors: Smith Jonathan Z.
Published: August 2014

As Robin Winks has persistently and wittily demonstrated, there are striking and suggestive parallels between the methods of scholarship, especially in the human sciences, and detective fiction. Perhaps the earliest self-conscious methodologist, therefore, is the redoubtable Sherlock Holmes. Some attention has been given to extracting his procedures and presuppositions from the prosaic, once-removed accounts of Dr. Watson, who plays a role in Doyle's fictions somewhere between one of Socrates' interlocutors, “I hadn't thought of that, please continue” and Jesus' disciples as represented by Mark, who, in one scholar's well-known formulation, progress from “nonunderstanding to misunderstanding.” In the literature on Holmes, however, I find surprisingly little attention paid to the manuscript writings and publications by the archetypical detective himself. There are fourteen in all, although four seem only sketches. While the two “memoirs” Holmes published in theAnthropological Journalare attractive, it is what appears to be his first publication, one of three translated into French, that catches my eye. Holmes describes this publication, which is primarily concerned with tobacco ashes, inThe Sign of the Four.
Communal Harmony as Governmentality: Reciprocity, peace-keeping, state legitimacy, and citizenship in contemporary India
Authors: MENON NANDAGOPAL R.
Published: August 2014

Debates about secularism in post-independence India have often revolved around the visions of two of the country's founding fathers—M. K. Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. A sharp distinction is drawn between them by those who argue that the Gandhian model (or, what in common parlance and state discourses is called communal harmony) stems from Indian cultural and religious values, and lies beyond the realm of the state. The Nehruvian model, however, is a state project through and through. This article transcends this dichotomy to show that the association of Nehru and Gandhi with these models does not necessarily mean that secularism and communal harmony faithfully reflect their ideas and, despite the differences in their aims and methods, both models are united in the discourses and practices of the state as strategies of ‘governmentality’. After redefining the core of communal harmony as reciprocity (rather than tolerance), I show how it is performed, how it supplements the state's efforts to keep the peace in a religiously plural society by the force of law, and shores up the state's legitimacy deficit. However, the state's simultaneous involvement in Nehruvian and Gandhian projects is not an innocuous fact because it undermines the state's constitutional and secular obligations to non-discriminatory citizenship in the Indian nation. The argument is that the state's endorsement ofdargah-centred Islamic piety as an exemplary site of communal harmony and particular ideas of the Indian nation legitimized by communal harmony ‘problematizes’ the national belonging of certain kinds of pious Muslims.
XVIII.—Heat Flow in the Region bounded Internally by a Circular Cylinder
Authors: Jaeger J. C. , Carslaw H. S.
Published: August 2014

The object of this paper is to give some numerical results for the cooling of the region bounded internally by a circular cylinder, with constant initial temperature, and various boundary conditions at the surface. Problems of this nature are of importance in connection with the cooling of mines, and in various physical questions.

The case of constant surface temperature is discussed in § 2. In § 3 the results are compared with the corresponding ones for the region outside a sphere, and for the semi-infinite solid.
Threats of future climate change and land use to vulnerable tree species native to Southern California
Authors: RIORDAN ERIN C. , GILLESPIE THOMAS W. , PITCHER LINCOLN , PINCETL STEPHANIE S. , JENERETTE G. DARREL , PATAKI DIANE E.
Published: August 2014

Climate and land-use changes are expected to drive high rates of environmental change and biodiversity loss in Mediterranean ecosystems this century. This paper compares the relative future impacts of land use and climate change on two vulnerable tree species native to Southern California (Juglans californica and Quercus engelmannii) using species distribution models. Under the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change's A1B future scenario, high levels of both projected land use and climate change could drive considerable habitat losses on these two already heavily-impacted tree species. Under scenarios of no dispersal, projected climate change poses a greater habitat loss threat relative to projected land use for both species. Assuming unlimited dispersal, climate-driven habitat gains could offset some of the losses due to both drivers, especially in J. californica which could experience net habitat gains under combined impacts of both climate change and land use. Quercus engelmannii, in contrast, could experience net habitat losses under combined impacts, even under best-case unlimited dispersal scenarios. Similarly, projected losses and gains in protected habitat are highly sensitive to dispersal scenario, with anywhere from > 60% loss in protected habitat (no dispersal) to > 170% gain in protected habitat (unlimited dispersal). The findings underscore the importance of dispersal in moderating future habitat loss for vulnerable species.
The economic impact of mental health stigma and discrimination: A systematic review
Authors: Sharac Jessica , Mccrone Paul , Clement Sarah , Thornicroft Graham
Published: August 2014

People with mental illness face stigma and discrimination in a variety of settings which can have an economic impact. Aim – The aim of this paper was to identify literature on the economic impact of mental illness stigma. Methods – A systematic review of the literature identified 30 papers from 27 studies by searching electronic databases and hand searching reference lists. Results – Mental illness stigma/discrimination was found to impact negatively on employment, income, public views about resource allocation and healthcare costs. Conclusions – Stigma and discrimination regarding mental health problems lead to adverse economic effects for people with these conditions. Interventions that reduce stigma may therefore also be economically beneficial.

Declaration of Interest: This study was funded in relation to a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Programme grant awarded to the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and in relation to the NIHR Specialist Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. There is no conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
Quantitative Compositional Analysis of Fluorhydroxyapatite by Atom Probe Tomography
Authors: Bachhav M.N. , Chang S.-R. , McFarland A. , Marquis E.A. , Clarkson B.
Published: August 2014

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
Full Transparency of Politicians' Actions Does Not Increase the Quality of Political Representation
Authors: Stadelmann David , Portmann Marco , Eichenberger Reiner
Published: August 2014

We identify the impact of transparency in political decision-making on the quality of political representation with a difference-in-difference strategy. The quality of political representation is measured by the observed divergence of parliamentary decisions from revealed voter preferences on identical issues. We show that full transparency of votes of individual politicians does not decrease divergence from voter preferences.
Reporting Guidelines for Experimental Research: A Report from the Experimental Research Section Standards Committee
Authors: Gerber Alan , Arceneaux Kevin , Boudreau Cheryl , Dowling Conor , Hillygus Sunshine , Palfrey Thomas , Biggers Daniel R. , Hendry David J.
Published: August 2014

The Standards Committee of the Experimental Research Section of the American Political Science Association has produced reporting guidelines that aim to increase the clarity of experimental research reports. This paper describes the Committee's rationale for the guidelines it developed and includes our Recommended Reporting Standards for Experiments (Laboratory, Field, Survey). It begins with a content analysis of current reporting practices in published experimental research. Although researchers report most important aspects of their experimental designs and data, we find substantial omissions that could undermine the clarity of research practices and the ability of researchers to assess the validity of study conclusions. With the need for reporting guidelines established, the report describes the process the Committee used to develop the guidelines, the feedback received during the comment period, and the rationale for the final version of the guidelines.
Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Cerebral Perfusion Measured with pCASL before and Repeatedly after CSF Removal
Authors: Virhammar Johan , Laurell Katarina , Ahlgren André , Cesarini Kristina Giuliana , Larsson Elna-Marie
Published: August 2014

Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) measurements were performed in 20 patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) to investigate whether cerebral blood flow (CBF) increases during the first 24 hours after a cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSF TT). Five pCASL magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed. Two scans were performed before removal of 40 mL CSF, and the other three at 30 minutes, 4 hours, and 24 hours, respectively after the CSF TT. Thirteen different regions of interest (ROIs) were manually drawn on coregistered MR images. In patients with increased CBF in lateral and frontal white matter after the CSF TT, gait function improved more than it did in patients with decreased CBF in these regions. However, in the whole sample, there was no significant increase in CBF after CSF removal compared with baseline investigations. The repeatability of CBF measurements at baseline was high, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.60 to 0.90 for different ROIs, but the median regional variability was in the range of 5% to 17%. Our results indicate that CBF in white matter close to the lateral ventricles plays a role in the reversibility of symptoms after CSF removal in patients with iNPH.
Role of Oxygen Vacancies in Gold Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Laguna O. H. , Domínguez M. I. , Romero-Sarria F. , Odriozola J. A. , Centeno M. A.
Published: August 2014

The nature of the support plays a determining role in the activity of gold supported catalysts in oxidation reactions. Among the different factors governing this influence, the main one is the presence of defects, more precisely oxygen vacancies. This chapter reviews the diverse aspects regarding the decisive role of oxygen vacancies in gold oxidation catalysis as a function of the reducible or irreducible character of the support.
Simultaneous determination of β-methyl-β-nitrostyrolene and its related substances by PS-DVB chromatographic column and structural analysis of its photo-isomerization product
Authors: Xu Yan , Liu Xiao-ning , Zhou Jun , Liu Ying , Zheng Tao
Published: August 2014

Determination of MNS and its related substances by RP-HPLC-UV and structural analysis of its photo-isomerization product.
The key role of geminate electron–hole pair recombination in the delayed fluorescence in rhodamine 6G and ATTO-532
Authors: Aydemir Murat , Jankus Vygintas , Dias Fernando B. , Monkman Andy
Published: August 2014

In this paper we investigate the delayed fluorescence (DF) phenomena in the widely used laser dye, rhodamine 6G, and its derivative ATTO-532 as a function of excitation energy using highly sensitive time-resolved gated nanosecond spectroscopy.
Lyotropic liquid crystal phases of phytantriol in a protic ionic liquid with fluorous anion
Authors: Shen Yan , Greaves Tamar L. , Kennedy Danielle F. , Weerawardena Asoka , Kirby Nigel , Song Gonghua , Drummond Calum J.
Published: August 2014

Liquid crystal phases of phytantriol supported in solvent mixtures of a fluorinated protic ionic liquid and water.
The nature of bonding and electronic properties of graphene and benzene with iridium adatoms
Authors: Lazar Petr , Granatier Jaroslav , Klimeš Jiří , Hobza Pavel , Otyepka Michal
Published: August 2014

The strong correlation effects contribute to the opening of the band gap in graphene covered with the Ir adatoms.
Cross-polarization for dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization
Authors: Batel Michael , Däpp Alexander , Hunkeler Andreas , Meier Beat H. , Kozerke Sebastian , Ernst Matthias
Published: August 2014

Investigation of DNP CP using a spin-thermodynamic model and optimization of CP in power-limited DNP probes using adiabatic RF pulses.
Assessment of asymptotically corrected model potentials for charge-transfer-like excitations in oligoacenes
Authors: Peng Wei-Tao , Chai Jeng-Da
Published: August 2014

Absorption spectra of 5-acene calculated using various functionals in RT-TDDFT. The subfigures (left top: LDA; left bottom: PBE; right: LB94) show the spectra close to the position of the 1La and 1Lb peaks, where the corresponding LR-TDDFT results are marked with the red lines.
Direct in situ measurement of dissolved zinc in the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles using anodic stripping voltammetry
Authors: Jiang Chuanjia , Hsu-Kim Heileen
Published: August 2014

Anodic stripping voltammetry can be used to measure the dissolved zinc concentration in aqueous suspensions of ZnO nanoparticles with primary particle diameters of 20 nm or larger.
A novel concentric grid nebulizer for inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Inagaki Kazumi , Fujii Shin-ichiro , Miyashita Shin-ichi , Nagasawa Keisuke , Okahashi Tetsuya , Groombridge Alexander S. , Takatsu Akiko , Chiba Koichi
Published: August 2014

A novel concentric type grid nebulizer (CGrid) was developed for sample introduction into an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES).
Fast redox-triggered shuttling motions in a copper rotaxane based on a phenanthroline–terpyridine conjugate
Authors: Coronado Eugenio , Gaviña Pablo , Ponce Julia , Tatay Sergio
Published: August 2014

Fast shuttling motions in solution have been observed for a Cu-complexed [2] rotaxane, whose thread contains a bidentate 1,10-phenanthroline chelating unit directly connected through its 3-position to the 5-position of a tridentate 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine.
Silicone dendrons and dendrimers from orthogonal SiH coupling reactions
Authors: Grande John B. , Urlich Tomas , Dickie Tara , Brook Michael A.
Published: August 2014

Iterative assembly of highly branched silicone dendrons and dendrimers, alternatively using Piers–Rubinsztajn and Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions, was achieved in high yield to give materials of up to 13 770 molecular weight by combining divergent and convergent approaches.
Tunable self-assembly structure of graphene oxide/cellulose nanocrystal hybrid films fabricated by vacuum filtration technique
Authors: Chen Qi , Liu Ping , Sheng Chunrui , Zhou Lijuan , Duan Yongxin , Zhang Jianming
Published: August 2014

This scheme shows that two distinct GO/CNC hybrid films with various optical properties could be obtained with vacuum-assisted self-assembly by using different dispersion method of GO in CNC aqueous solution.
A novel fluorescent pH probe with valuable pKabased on a twisted intramolecular charge transfer mechanism, and its applications in cell imaging
Authors: Yu Fang , Wang Yan , Zhu Wencheng , Huang Yan , Yang Minghui , Ai Hua , Lu Zhiyun
Published: August 2014

A novel TICT-mechanism based pH probe with valuable pKaof 5.32 has been developed. It is a promising visualizing agent for lysosomes in intracellular application.
Facile preparation of aramid nanofibers from Twaron fibers by a downsizing process
Authors: Ifuku S. , Maeta H. , Izawa H. , Morimoto M. , Saimoto H.
Published: August 2014

We introduce a simple preparation procedure for aramid nanofibers from Twaron fibers by using a downsizing process.
Dual colorimetric sensing of mercury and iodide ions by steroidal 1,2,3-triazole-stabilized silver nanoparticles
Authors: Nayal Aradhana , Kumar Anjul , Chhatra Rajesh K. , Pandey Pramod S.
Published: August 2014

Bile acid-based 1,2,3-triazole ligands have been synthesized, which show excellent ability to stabilize silver nanoparticles. These AgNPs have been found to exhibit highly selective dual colorimetric sensing of Hg2+and I−ions.
Catenanes from catenanes: quantitative assessment of cooperativity in dynamic combinatorial catenation
Authors: Li Jianwei , Nowak Piotr , Fanlo-Virgós Hugo , Otto Sijbren
Published: August 2014

A series of dynamic combinatorial [2] and [3]catenanes have been prepared. Formation of the [3]catenanes occurs with positive or negative cooperativity, depending on the cyclodextrin homologue. Systems level analysis allows cooperativity to be quantified and MD simulations reveal that cooperativity derives from the extents to which hydrophobic surface area is exposed to the aqueous surroundings.
Magnetic carbon nanofibers containing uniformly dispersed Fe/Co/Ni nanoparticles as stable and high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbers
Authors: Xiang Jun , Li Jiale , Zhang Xionghui , Ye Qin , Xu Jiahuan , Shen Xiangqian
Published: August 2014

Magnetic carbon nanofibers containing uniformly dispersed Fe/Co/Ni nanoparticles (CNF–M) exhibit excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties from the C-band to the Ku-band.
Synthesis of novel platinum complex core as a selective Ag+ sensor and its H-bonded tetrads self-assembled with triarylamine dendrimers for electron/energy transfers
Authors: Shellaiah Muthaiah , Ramakrishnam Raju Mandapati V. , Singh Ashutosh , Lin Hsin-Chieh , Wei Kung-Hwa , Lin Hong-Cheu
Published: August 2014

A novel metal complex PtC was synthesized and utilized in the formation of H-bonded tetrads with two generations of dendrimers (TPAD1 and TPAD2) and as a selective Ag+ sensor.
Er3+-doped YbPO4 up-conversion porous nanospheres for UCL/CT bimodal imaging in vivo and chemotherapy
Authors: Zheng Xiaopeng , Zhou Liangjun , Bu Yang , Yin Wenyan , Hu Zhongbo , Li Meng , Gu Zhanjun , Zhao Yuliang
Published: August 2014

PEI modified up-conversion porous nanospheres were obtained by template-free hydrothermal method, combining up-conversion luminescence/X-ray computed tomography bimodal-imaging with drug delivery.
Hydrophilic Cu2−xSe/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites with tunable plasmonic properties and their applications in cellular dark-field microscopic imaging
Authors: Li Wen Long , Lie Shao Qing , Du Yu Qing , Wan Xiao Yan , Wang Ting Ting , Wang Jian , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: August 2014

We report a facile and green approach to fabricate Cu2−xSe/rGO nanocomposites at room temperature, with tunable plasmonic properties as well as favorable biocompatibility, and exploit them for cell imaging in vitro.
De‐speckling method based on non‐local means and coefficient variation of SAR image
Authors: Chen Shaobo , Hou Jianhua , Zhang Hua , Da Bangyou
Published: August 2014

Proposed is a speckle reduction method for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. This method can be considered as a new adaptive non‐local (NL) means filtering technique since different weights based on Euclidean distance and coefficient variation (CV) of SAR images are applied. The Euclidean distance of similarity windows and CV of the search window can be calculated first; next, the decay parameter will be adjusted by the CV; then, the speckled‐image pixel will be restored by weighted averaging based on the new weight. The visual and numerical experimental results show that the proposed filter can suppress speckle effectively and keep details (such as edge and texture) simultaneously. The proposed filter outperforms the existing state‐of‐the‐art de‐speckling filters based on NL means in terms of runtime.
Inverse Marx modulators for self‐biasing klystron depressed collectors
Authors: Kemp M.A.
Published: August 2014

A novel pulsed depressed collector biasing scheme is proposed. This topology feeds forward energy recovered during one RF pulse for use on the following RF pulse. The presented ‘inverse’ Marx charges biasing capacitors in series, and discharges them in parallel. Simulations are shown along with experimental demonstration on a 62 kW klystron.
Distortion mitigation in interferometric angular velocity measurements
Authors: Nanzer J.A. , Zilevu K.S.
Published: August 2014

New methods for reducing signal distortion in interferometric angular velocity measurements are introduced. Two waveform approaches are proposed: long‐wavelength signals and short‐pulse signals. The source of nonlinear distortion is derived and analysed, and the strengths and drawbacks of each method are discussed. Although the focus is on the distortion generated when measuring the angular velocity of walking humans, the results are applicable to interferometric measurements of the angular velocity of non‐rigid or multiple objects in general.
Sommerfeld integration for arbitrary, multi‐layer dielectric systems: a practical method for seawater antenna modelling
Authors: Blackburn John F , Alexander M.J.
Published: August 2014

The authors present a formulation of the Sommerfeld integration method to calculate antenna radiation in an arbitrary stack of dielectric slabs. Historically, Sommerfeld integration, in the method of moments, has been used only for two semi‐infinite layers (the lower layer often referred to as a ground plane). Here, the authors have returned to Sommerfeld's original formulation to extend the method for an arbitrary number of layers. The authors show that this algorithm gives accurate results as proved by comparison to other simulations and approximate analytical formulas. The authors motivation is to calculate antenna coupling in a seawater environment at ultra‐low frequencies, taking account of seawaves at the seabed and water surface. This is an important problem in marine engineering which cannot be addressed by finite element methods owing to the high aspect ratios and 106‐order jumps in complex permittivity across the different layers. As well as validating the algorithm for multiple layers the authors show results from a realistic air/sea/seabed setup. The authors demonstrate that, if the antenna is close to the seabed, surface waves can form on the sea/seabed interface as well as the air/sea interface potentially improving reception.
Effect of temperature on carrier formation efficiency in organic photovoltaic cells
Authors: Moritomo Yutaka , Yonezawa Kouhei , Yasuda Takeshi
Published: August 2014

The internal quantum efficiency (ϕIQ) of an organic photovoltaic cell is governed by plural processes. Here, we propose that ϕIQ can be experimentally decomposed into carrier formation (ϕCF) and carrier transfer (ϕCT) efficiencies. By combining femtosecond time-resolved and electrochemical spectroscopy, we clarified the effect of temperature on ϕCF in a regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rr-P3HT)/[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester blend film. We found that ϕCF (=0.55) at 80 K is the same as that (=0.55) at 300 K. The temperature insensitivity of ϕCF indicates that the electron-hole pairs at the D/A interface are seldom subjected to coulombic binding energy.
Analytical models of calcium binding in a calcium channel
Authors: Liu Jinn-Liang , Eisenberg Bob
Published: August 2014

The anomalous mole fraction effect of L-type calcium channels is analyzed using a Fermi like distribution with the experimental data of Almers and McCleskey [J. Physiol. 353, 585 (1984)] and the atomic resolution model of Lipkind and Fozzard [Biochemistry 40, 6786 (2001)] of the selectivity filter of the channel. Much of the analysis is algebraic, independent of differential equations. The Fermi distribution is derived from the configuration entropy of ions and water molecules with different sizes, different valences, and interstitial voids between particles. It allows us to calculate potentials and distances (between the binding ion and the oxygen ions of the glutamate side chains) directly from the experimental data using algebraic formulas. The spatial resolution of these results is comparable with those of molecular models, but of course the accuracy is no better than that implied by the experimental data. The glutamate side chains in our model are flexible enough to accommodate different types of binding ions in different bath conditions. The binding curves of Na+ and Ca2+ for [CaCl2] ranging from 10−8 to 10−2 M with a fixed 32 mM background [NaCl] are shown to agree with published Monte Carlo simulations. The Poisson-Fermi differential equation—that includes both steric and correlation effects—is then used to obtain the spatial profiles of energy, concentration, and dielectric coefficient from the solvent region to the filter. The energy profiles of ions are shown to depend sensitively on the steric energy that is not taken into account in the classical rate theory. We improve the rate theory by introducing a steric energy that lumps the effects of excluded volumes of all ions and water molecules and empty spaces between particles created by Lennard-Jones type and electrostatic forces. We show that the energy landscape varies significantly with bath concentrations. The energy landscape is not constant.
High-Tc superconducting Josephson mixers for terahertz heterodyne detection
Authors: Malnou M. , Feuillet-Palma C. , Ulysse C. , Faini G. , Febvre P. , Sirena M. , Olanier L. , Lesueur J. , Bergeal N.
Published: August 2014

We report on an experimental and theoretical study of the high-frequency mixing properties of ion-irradiated YBa2Cu3O7 Josephson junctions embedded in THz antennas. We investigated the influence of the local oscillator power and frequency on the device performances. The experimental data are compared with theoretical predictions of the general three-port model for mixers in which the junction is described by the resistively shunted junction model. A good agreement is obtained for the conversion efficiency in different frequency ranges, spanning above and below the characteristic frequencies fc of the junctions.
Correction of surface characteristics to diagnostic wind modeling and its impact on potentials of wind power density
Authors: Kim Dong Hyeok , Lee Hwa Woon , Park Soon Yeong , Yu Jung Woo , Park Changhyoun , Park Jae Hyung
Published: August 2014

This research aimed to correct recently changed surface characteristics into a diagnostic wind field model with the purposes of investigating the changed mixing depth and wind profile, as well as its impact on wind resource potentials. In order to reflect the latest surface characteristics, the Environmental Geographic Information System (EGIS) 3-s land-use data produced by the Ministry of Environment was inputted. A change in the conditions of the surface affects the local wind circulation and the feature of Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), such as mixing heights and the wind speed profile. As a result, a difference of wind speed at a hub height leads to a change in the wind energy potential. Compared to Low Resolution experiment (LRexp), High Resolution experiment (HRexp) suffers Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) decreased by 26.3% and Index Of Agreement (IOA) is increased by 7.8% at maximum, so that it contributes to the improved prediction accuracy of wind field.