bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial
Authors: Sanders Rachael , Lehmann Jennifer
Published: May 2014

We would like to begin this Editorial by expressing our thanks and appreciation to Frank Ainsworth for his many years of dedication and ongoing support for Children Australia. Frank has a long and esteemed history of providing counsel to families, practitioners, organisations and the court system on issues relating to child protection in NSW and beyond. Frank is well known for his cross-examination of the child protection system, its successes and failures; and is always keen to voice his opinion for change and improvement. He is an advocate of family inclusive practice and believes the child protection system should be working towards keeping children in their homes as much as possible. Together with John Berger, who also has a longstanding association with the child and family sector in Australia and is currently the CEO of St Barts in Perth, Frank has brought together a number of contributors to this themed issue, which examines issues of family inclusive practice, family preservation and areas for improvement to the broader child protection system.
When responsible downsizing strategy meets employee-oriented leadership: Implications for downsizing performance
Authors: Tsai Philip Cheng-Fei , Shih Chih-Ting
Published: May 2014

This study examines whether a responsible downsizing strategy and employee-oriented leadership are complementary in strengthening firm performance after downsizing. This study investigated 154 firms that have used an organizational downsizing strategy with surveys and follow-up focus groups. Results of both the empirical evidence and qualitative data demonstrates that for firms adopting an employee-oriented leadership style, the level of responsible downsizing strategy is high and firm performance is significantly increased. Specifically, the results of the focus groups indicate that a responsible downsizing strategy deepens the loyalty and faith of employees to their employer. These theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Organizational trust and performance: Is organizational learning capability a missing link?
Authors: Guinot Jacob , Chiva Ricardo , Mallén Fermín
Published: May 2014

Despite the fact that the majority of studies have suggested that it is beneficial for organizational performance, some empirical evidence has generated contradictory results concerning these variables. For this reason, this research attempts to look in-depth at the relationships between trust and organizational performance, using organizational learning capability as an explanatory variable. To confirm the hypotheses, the structural equation technique was used on data from a survey carried out in Spanish firms with recognized excellence in human resources management. The results obtained show that, in these firms, organizational learning capability mediates in the relationship between trust and organizational performance.
A High Prevalence of Zinc- but not Iron-Deficiency among Women in Rural Malawi: a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Siyame Edwin W. P. , Hurst Rachel , Wawer Anna A. , Young Scott D. , Broadley Martin R. , Chilimba Allan D. C. , Ander Louise E. , Watts Michael J. , Chilima Benson , Gondwe Jellita , Kang'ombe Dalitso , Kalimbira Alexander , Fairweather-Tait Susan J. , Bailey Karl B. , Gibson Rosalind S.
Published: May 2014

Background: Zinc deficiency is often associated with nutritional iron deficiency (ID), and may be exacerbated by low selenium status. Aim: To investigate risk of iron and zinc deficiency in women with contrasting selenium status. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 1-day diet composites and blood samples were collected from self-selected Malawian women aged 18−50 years from low- (Zombwe) (n=60) and high-plant-available soil selenium (Mikalango) (n=60) districts. Diets were analyzed for trace elements and blood for biomarkers. Results: Zinc deficiency (>90 %) was greater than ID anemia (6 %), or ID (5 %), attributed to diets low in zinc (median 5.7 mg/day) with high phytate:zinc molar ratios (20.0), but high in iron (21.0 mg/day) from soil contaminant iron. Zombwe compared to Mikalango women had lower (p<0.05) intakes of selenium (6.5 vs. 55.3 µg/day), zinc (4.8 vs. 6.4 mg/day), iron (16.6 vs. 29.6 mg/day), lower plasma selenium (0.72 vs. 1.60 µmol/L), and higher body iron (5.3 vs. 3.8 mg/kg), although plasma zinc was similar (8.60 vs. 8.87 µmol/L). Body iron and plasma zinc were positive determinants of hemoglobin. Conclusion: Risk of zinc deficiency was higher than ID and was shown not to be associated with selenium status. Plasma zinc was almost as important as body iron as a hemoglobin determinant.
Neuropsychological Deficits in the Prodromal Phase and Course of an Early-Onset Schizophrenia
Authors: Puetz Vanessa , Günther Thomas , Kahraman-Lanzerath Berrak , Herpertz-Dahlmann Beate , Konrad Kerstin
Published: May 2014

Objectives: Although clear advances have been achieved in the study of early-onset schizophrenia (EOS), little is known to date about premorbid and prodromal neuropsychological functioning in EOS. Method: Here, we report on a case of an adolescent male with EOS who underwent neuropsychological testing before and after illness onset. Results: Marked cognitive deficits in the domains of attention, set-shifting, and verbal memory were present both pre-onset and during the course of schizophrenia, though only deficits in verbal memory persisted after illness-onset and antipsychotic treatment. Conclusion: The findings of this case study suggest that impairments in the verbal memory domain are particularly prominent symptoms of cognitive impairment in prodromal EOS and persist in the course of the disorder, which further demonstrates the difficult clinical situation of adequate schooling opportunities for adolescent patients with EOS.
Microvascular MRI and Unsupervised Clustering Yields Histology-Resembling Images in Two Rat Models of Glioma
Authors: Coquery Nicolas , Francois Olivier , Lemasson Benjamin , Debacker Clément , Farion Régine , Rémy Chantai , Barbier Emmanuel Luc
Published: May 2014

Imaging heterogeneous cancer lesions is a real challenge. For diagnosis, histology often remains the reference, but it is widely acknowledged that biopsies are not reliable. There is thus a strong interest in establishing a link between clinical in vivo imaging and the biologic properties of tissues. In this study, we propose to construct histology-resembling images based on tissue microvascularization, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accessible source of contrast. To integrate the large amount of information collected with microvascular MRI, we combined a manual delineation of a spatial region of interest with an unsupervised, model-based cluster analysis (Mclust). This approach was applied to two rat models of glioma (C6 and F98). Six MRI parameters were mapped: apparent diffusion coefficient, vessel wall permeability, cerebral blood volume fraction, cerebral blood flow, tissular oxygen saturation, and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. Five clusters, defined by their MRI features, were found to correspond to specific histologic features, and revealed intratumoral spatial structures. These results suggest that the presence of a cluster within a tumor can be used to assess the presence of a tissue type. In addition, the cluster composition, i.e., a signature of the intratumoral structure, could be used to characterize tumor models as histology does.
Fabricating nanopores with diameters of sub-1 nm to 3 nm using multilevel pulse-voltage injection
Authors: Yanagi Itaru , Akahori Rena , Hatano Toshiyuki , Takeda Ken-ichi
Published: May 2014

To date, solid-state nanopores have been fabricated primarily through a focused-electronic beam via TEM. For mass production, however, a TEM beam is not suitable and an alternative fabrication method is required. Recently, a simple method for fabricating solid-state nanopores was reported by Kwok, H. et al. and used to fabricate a nanopore (down to 2 nm in size) in a membrane via dielectric breakdown. In the present study, to fabricate smaller nanopores stably—specifically with a diameter of 1 to 2 nm (which is an essential size for identifying each nucleotide)—via dielectric breakdown, a technique called “multilevel pulse-voltage injection” (MPVI) is proposed and evaluated. MPVI can generate nanopores with diameters of sub-1 nm in a 10-nm-thick Si3N4 membrane with a probability of 90%. The generated nanopores can be widened to the desired size (as high as 3 nm in diameter) with sub-nanometre precision and the mean effective thickness of the fabricated nanopores was 3.7 nm.
Kinetics of 90° domain wall motions and high frequency mesoscopic dielectric response in strained ferroelectrics: A phase-field simulation
Authors: Chu P. , Chen D. P. , Wang Y. L. , Xie Y. L. , Yan Z. B. , Wan J. G. , Liu J.-M. , Li J. Y.
Published: May 2014

The dielectric and ferroelectric behaviors of a ferroelectric are substantially determined by its domain structure and domain wall dynamics at mesoscopic level. A relationship between the domain walls and high frequency mesoscopic dielectric response is highly appreciated for high frequency applications of ferroelectrics. In this work we investigate the low electric field driven motion of 90°-domain walls and the frequency-domain spectrum of dielectric permittivity in normally strained ferroelectric lattice using the phase-field simulations. It is revealed that, the high-frequency dielectric permittivity is spatially inhomogeneous and reaches the highest value on the 90°-domain walls. A tensile strain favors the parallel domains but suppresses the kinetics of the 90° domain wall motion driven by electric field, while the compressive strain results in the opposite behaviors. The physics underlying the wall motions and thus the dielectric response is associated with the long-range elastic energy. The major contribution to the dielectric response is from the polarization fluctuations on the 90°-domain walls, which are more mobile than those inside the domains. The relevance of the simulated results wth recent experiments is discussed.
On the study of crystal growth via interfacial analysis and string optimization
Authors: Jion Adam Idu , Rajagopalan Raj
Published: May 2014

Mathematical ‘strings’ can be used with computer simulations and statistical mechanics to calculate the fraction of growth units and activation energies of flexible molecules present at the crystal–solution interface.
BRET-linked ATP assay with luciferase
Authors: Borghei Golnaz , Hall Elizabeth A. H.
Published: May 2014

A Bioluminescence Resonance Energy transfer (BRET) pair with firefly luciferase and mCherry provides a new method for ATP measurementviathe shift in the mCherry emission wavelength.
Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed intramolecular amidoarylation and hydroarylation of alkyne via C–H activation: switchable synthesis of 3,4-fused tricyclic indoles and chromans
Authors: Zhang Xue , Li Yifei , Shi Hui , Zhang Lunan , Zhang Shanshan , Xu Xianxiu , Liu Qun
Published: May 2014

An intramolecular amidoarylation and hydroarylation of alkyne via rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation was developed for the switchable synthesis of 3,4-fused indoles and chromans.
Regioselective desymmetrization of diaryltetrahydrofurans via directed ortho-lithiation: an unexpected help from green chemistry
Authors: Mallardo Valentina , Rizzi Ruggiero , Sassone Francesca C. , Mansueto Rosmara , Perna Filippo M. , Salomone Antonio , Capriati Vito
Published: May 2014

ortho-Lithiation/functionalization of diaryltetrahydrofurans proceeds well with t-BuLi both in Et2O and cyclopentyl methyl ether and, remarkably, also in protic eutectic mixtures.
Biologically active diterpenes containing a gem-dimethylcyclopropane subunit: an intriguing source of PKC modulators
Authors: Durán-Peña María Jesús , Botubol Ares José Manuel , Collado Isidro G. , Hernández-Galán Rosario
Published: May 2014

This review describes diterpenes containing thegem-dimethylcyclopropane subunit isolated from natural sources with a special emphasis on their intriguing biological activities as a source of PKC modulators.
Evaluation of 4-substituted styrenes as functional monomers for the synthesis of theophylline-specific molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Zayas Hazit , Holdsworth Clovia I. , Bowyer Michael C. , McCluskey Adam
Published: May 2014

Six novel functional monomers (M1–M6) were examined for their ability to imprint theophylline (1). The best selectivity was observed with M2.
Design, synthesis and evaluation of new tricyclic endoperoxides as potential antiplasmodial agents
Authors: Ruiz Jérémy , Mallet-Ladeira Sonia , Maynadier Marjorie , Vial Henri , André-Barrès Christiane
Published: May 2014

New tricyclic endoperoxides were obtained by a diastereoselective autoxidation; combined with 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline, they display good antiplasmodial activities.
Lysine post-translational modifications of collagen
Authors: Yamauchi Mitsuo , Sricholpech Marnisa
Published: May 2014

Type I collagen is the most abundant structural protein in vertebrates. It is a heterotrimeric molecule composed of two α1 chains and one α2 chain, forming a long uninterrupted triple helical structure with short non-triple helical telopeptides at both the N- and C-termini. During biosynthesis, collagen acquires a number of post-translational modifications, including lysine modifications, that are critical to the structure and biological functions of this protein. Lysine modifications of collagen are highly complicated sequential processes catalysed by several groups of enzymes leading to the final step of biosynthesis, covalent intermolecular cross-linking. In the cell, specific lysine residues are hydroxylated to form hydroxylysine. Then specific hydroxylysine residues located in the helical domain of the molecule are glycosylated by the addition of galactose or glucose-galactose. Outside the cell, lysine and hydroxylysine residues in the N- and C-telopeptides can be oxidatively deaminated to produce reactive aldehydes that undergo a series of non-enzymatic condensation reactions to form covalent intra- and inter-molecular cross-links. Owing to the recent advances in molecular and cellular biology, and analytical technologies, the biological significance and molecular mechanisms of these modifications have been gradually elucidated. This chapter provides an overview on these enzymatic lysine modifications and subsequent cross-linking.
Augmenter of liver regeneration ameliorates renal fibrosis in rats with obstructive nephropathy
Authors: Chen Guo-tao , Zhang Ling , Liao Xiao-hui , Yan Ru-yu , Li Ying , Sun Hang , Guo Hui , Liu Qi
Published: May 2014

Renal fibrosis is a hallmark in CKD (chronic kidney disease) and is strongly correlated to the deterioration of renal function that is characterized by tubulointerstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, glomerulosclerosis and disruption of the normal architecture of the kidney. ALR (augmenter of liver regeneration) is a growth factor with biological functions similar to those of HGF (hepatocyte growth factor). In this study, our results indicate that endogenous ALR is involved in the pathological progression of renal fibrosis in UUO (unilateral ureteral obstruction) rat model. Moreover, we find that administration of rhALR (recombinant human ALR) significantly alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis and reduces renal-fibrosis-related proteins in UUO rats. Further investigation reveals that rhALR suppresses the up-regulated expression of TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor β1) induced by UUO operation in the obstructed kidney, and inhibits Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation activated by the UUO-induced injury in the animal model. Therefore we suggest that ALR is involved in the progression of renal fibrosis and administration of rhALR protects the kidney against renal fibrosis by inhibition of TGF-β/Smad activity.
Demineralized Bone Matrix for Alveolar Cleft Management
Authors: Madrid Jose Rolando Prada , Gomez Viviana , Mendoza Bibiana
Published: May 2014

The aim of this article is to describe the results of the use of demineralized bone matrix putty in alveolar cleft of patients with cleft lip and palate. We performed a prospective, descriptive case series study, in which we evaluated the results of the management of alveolar clefts with demineralized bone matrix. Surgery was performed in 10 patients aged between 7 and 26 years (mean 13 years), involving a total of 13 clefts in the 10 patients. A preoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken to the patients in whom the width of the cleft was measured from each edge of the cleft reporting values between 5.76 and 16.93 mm (average, 11.18 mm). The densities of the clefts were measured with a CBCT, 6 months postoperative to assess bone formation. The results showed a register of gray values of 1,148 to 1,396 (mean, 1,270). The follow-up was conducted for 15 to 33 months (mean, 28.2 months). The results did not show satisfactory bone formation in the cleft of patients with the use of demineralized bone matrix.
Boussinesq approximation for Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities
Authors: Mikaelian Karnig O.
Published: May 2014

We apply numerical and analytic techniques to study the Boussinesq approximation in Rayleigh-Taylor and Richtmyer-Meshkov instabilities. In this approximation, one sets the Atwood number A equal to zero except where it multiplies the acceleration g or velocity-jump Δv. While this approximation is generally applied to low-A systems, we show that it can be applied to high-A systems also in certain regimes and to the “bubble” part of the instability, i.e., the penetration depth of the lighter fluid into the heavier fluid. It cannot be applied to the spike. We extend the Boussinesq approximation for incompressible fluids and show that it always overestimates the penetration depth but the error is never more than about 41%. The effect of compressibility is studied by analytic techniques in the linear regime which indicate that compressibility has the opposite effect and the Boussinesq approximation underestimates bubbles by about 14%. We also present direct numerical simulations of two compressible systems which have approximately the same AΔv: a low-A air/CO2 system shocked at Ms = 1.57, and a high-A air/SF6 system shocked at Ms = 1.24. While the bubbles are approximately equal, the lower-A system has a shorter (less penetrating) spike; however, because its mushrooms are more tightly wound, the low-A system has the larger interface area.
Photo-induced strengthening of weak bonding in noble gas dimers
Authors: Miyamoto Yoshiyuki , Miyazaki Takehide , Rubio Angel , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2014

We demonstrate through extensive first-principles time-dependent density functional calculations that attractive van der Waals interaction between closed-shell atoms can be enhanced by light with constant spatial intensity. We illustrate this general phenomenon for a He dimer as a prototypical case of complex van der Waals interactions and show that when excited by light with a frequency close to the 1s → 2p He-atomic transition, an attractive force larger than 7 pN is produced. This force gain is manifested as a larger acceleration of He-He contraction under an optical field. The concerted dynamical motions of the He atoms together with polarity switching of the charge-induced dipole cause the contraction of the dimer. These findings are relevant for the photo-induced control of weakly bonded molecular species, either in gas phase or in solution.
Rarefied gas flow in a rectangular enclosure induced by non-isothermal walls
Authors: Vargas Manuel , Tatsios Giorgos , Valougeorgis Dimitris , Stefanov Stefan
Published: May 2014

The flow of a rarefied gas in a rectangular enclosure due to the non-isothermal walls with no synergetic contributions from external force fields is investigated. The top and bottom walls are maintained at constant but different temperatures and along the lateral walls a linear temperature profile is assumed. Modeling is based on the direct numerical solution of the Shakhov kinetic equation and the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Solving the problem both deterministically and stochastically allows a systematic comparison and verification of the results as well as the exploitation of the numerical advantages of each approach in the investigation of the involved flow and heat transfer phenomena. The thermally induced flow is simulated in terms of three dimensionless parameters characterizing the problem, namely, the reference Knudsen number, the temperature ratio of the bottom over the top plates, and the enclosure aspect ratio. Their effect on the flow configuration and bulk quantities is thoroughly examined. Along the side walls, the gas flows at small Knudsen numbers from cold-to-hot, while as the Knudsen number is increased the gas flows from hot-to-cold and the thermally induced flow configuration becomes more complex. These flow patterns with the hot-to-cold flow to be extended to the whole length of the non-isothermal side walls may exist even at small temperature differences and then, they are enhanced as the temperature difference between the top and bottom plates is increased. The cavity aspect ratio also influences this flow configuration and the hot-to-cold flow is becoming more dominant as the depth compared to the width of the cavity is increased. To further analyze the flow patterns a novel solution decomposition into ballistic and collision parts is introduced. This is achieved by accordingly modifying the indexing process of the typical DSMC algorithm. The contribution of each part of the solution is separately examined and a physical interpretation of the flow configuration, including the hot-to-cold flow close to the side walls, in the whole range of the Knudsen number is provided.
Phase diagram of the CF4 monolayer and bilayer on graphite
Authors: Thomas Petros , Hess George B.
Published: May 2014

We report an experimental study of physisorbed monolayers and bilayers of CF4 on graphite using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy supplemented by ellipsometry. The symmetric C–F stretch mode ν3 near 1283 cm−1 in the gas is strongly blue shifted in the film by dynamic dipole coupling. This blue shift provides a very sensitive measure of the inter-molecular spacing in the monolayer and, less directly, in the bilayer. We find that important corrections are necessary to the volumetric coverage scales used in previous heat capacity and x-ray diffraction studies of this system. This requires quantitative and some qualitative changes to the previously proposed phase diagram. We find evidence for a new phase transition in the middle of the hexagonal incommensurate region and construct new phase diagrams in both the variables coverage-temperature and chemical potential-temperature. We determine the compressibility and thermal expansion in the low-pressure hexagonal incommensurate phase and values for the entropy change in several phase transitions. Below about 55 K there is evidence of solution of up to 7% of an impurity, most likely CO, in our monolayer but not the bilayer film.
Free swimming of an elastic plate plunging at low Reynolds number
Authors: Yeh Peter Derek , Alexeev Alexander
Published: May 2014

We use three-dimensional computer simulations to examine the free swimming of an elastic plate plunging sinusoidally in a viscous fluid with a Reynolds number of 250. We find that the free swimming velocity is maximized when the swimmer is driven near the first natural frequency leading to larger swimmer deformations, and that the free swimming velocity is nearly linearly related to the trailing edge displacement. The maximum swimmer performance is found at a non-resonance frequency. The maximum performance takes place when the swimmer exhibits a deformation pattern in which the transverse displacement of the swimmer's center of mass is minimized, which in turn reduces viscous losses.
Polarization ratio enhancement of a-plane GaN light emitting diodes by asymmetric two-dimensional photonic crystals
Authors: Chou Yen , Li Hsiang-Wei , Yin Yu-Feng , Wang Yu-Ting , Lin Yen-Chen , Lin Da-Wei , Wu Yuh-Renn , Kuo Hao-Chung , Huang Jian Jang
Published: May 2014

Fabricating photonic crystals (PhCs) on GaN based non-polar light emitting diodes (LEDs) is an effective way to increase light extraction and meanwhile to preserve or improve polarization ratio. In this work, a-plane GaN LEDs with two-dimensional PhCs were demonstrated. With the E // m polarized modes (which mean the optical polarization with the electric field parallel to m-axis) as the target of diffraction, we matched E//m modes to the photonic bands and aligned E//c modes to fall within the photonic band gap. The results show stronger E//m but weaker E//c mode diffractions on both c- and m-axes. At the vertical direction, the polarization ratio is enhanced from 45.8% for the planar device to 52.3% for the LEDs with PhCs.
The features of ballistic electron transport in a suspended quantum point contact
Authors: Shevyrin A. A. , Pogosov A. G. , Budantsev M. V. , Bakarov A. K. , Toropov A. I. , Ishutkin S. V. , Shesterikov E. V.
Published: May 2014

A suspended quantum point contact and the effects of the suspension are investigated by performing identical electrical measurements on the same experimental sample before and after the suspension. In both cases, the sample demonstrates conductance quantization. However, the suspended quantum point contact shows certain features not observed before the suspension, namely, plateaus at the conductance values being non-integer multiples of the conductance quantum, including the “0.7-anomaly.” These features can be attributed to the strengthening of electron-electron interaction because of the electric field confinement within the suspended membrane. Thus, the suspended quantum point contact represents a one-dimensional system with strong electron-electron interaction.
Piezo-antiferromagnetic effect of sawtooth-like graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Zhao Shangqian , Lu Yan , Zhang Yuchun , Lu Wengang , Liang Wenjie , Wang Enge
Published: May 2014

A type of sawtooth-like graphene nanoribbon (SGNR) with piezo-antiferromagnetic effect is studied numerically. The ground state of the studied SGNR changes from nonmagnetic state to antiferromagnetic state with uniaxial strain. The changes of the spin-charge distributions during the stretching are investigated. The Hubbard model reveals that the hopping integrals between the π-orbitals of the carbon atoms are responsible to the piezo-antiferromagnetic effect. The study sheds light on the application of graphene-based structures to nanosensors and spintronic devices.
Investigation of cis- and trans-4-Fluoroprolines as Enantioselective Catalysts in a Variety of Organic Transformations
Authors: Yap Daryl Q. J. , Cheerlavancha Raju , Lowe Renecia , Wang Siyao , Hunter Luke
Published: May 2014

Stereoselective fluorination is known to rigidify the ring structure of l-proline, as a result of a combination of electrostatic and hyperconjugative effects associated with the C–F bond. This is a potential strategy for enhancing the enantioselectivity of proline-catalysed reactions. In this study, cis- and trans-4-fluoroprolines were investigated as catalysts in five different organic transformations, including examples of both enamine and iminium ion catalysis. Some significant differences in enantioselectivity were observed between the cis- and trans-isomers of the fluorinated catalysts, confirming that the ring pucker is important. However, no substantial improvements were observed relative to the parent catalyst, l-proline.
Identifying anthropogenic ‘hotspots’ and management of water resources in Lake Chad Basin using GIS
Authors: Okonkwo Churchill , Demoz Belay
Published: May 2014

In order to understand the relationship between population pressure on water resources, and changes in vegetation cover within the Lake Chad Basin (LCB), this paper analyzed demographic and biomass burning footprint using Geographical Information System (GIS) software. An overlay analysis identified anthropogenic hotspots that are likely to define the modification of the LCB in the future. Analysis of anthropogenic dynamics suggests that with a projected population of 51 million in 2015 rising to about 80 million by 2030, the Lake Chad (LC) watershed will be significantly impacted. The spatial characteristic of the anthropogenic footprint shows that sustaining water services will continue to be a problem. The anthropogenic hotspot map generated is thus a useful tool for policy makers to target areas of rapid change with the greatest impact on the size of LC. The proposed inter-basin water transfer will require the most comprehensive urgent policy responses.
Recognition and the image of mastery as themes in Black Mirror (Channel 4, 2011–present): an eco-Jungian approach to ‘always-on’ culture
Authors: Singh Greg
Published: May 2014

There are plenty of examples in moving image culture, following quite distinct and innovative traditions in science fiction literature, where the role of technology seems to have afforded a utopian society; a society where all is clean and free of crime, where we need not worry about hunger, disease, or even the messy business of reproduction through physical intimacy. All needs catered for, all tastes accounted for; and in the middle of it all, a single, solitary human subject wondering that perhaps this is not the way that things were meant to be. In Black Mirror (Channel 4, Zeppotron, 2011–present), Charlie Brooker has managed to craft some of the darkest visions of ‘always-on’ lifestyle to be aired on British television for some time. In this article, I discuss how themes of recognition and reflection in this series provide for us the opportunity to examine the cultural complex of what might be described as ‘negative affordance’, where the various characters misrecognise the relationships they have with other people. This occurs through intensification of the psychic image of mastery brought on through an amplification of pressure to engage in contemporary practices of ‘connectivity’. Black Mirror's deft representations of social media use, and its implications for interpersonal relationships in our ‘always-on’ culture, allow us to rethink how such ‘negative affordance’ operates in relation to our online selves.
Preventing Surgical Site Infections: A Randomized, Open-Label Trial of Nasal Mupirocin Ointment and Nasal Povidone-Iodine Solution
Authors: Phillips Michael , Rosenberg Andrew , Shopsin Bo , Cuff Germaine , Skeete Faith , Foti Alycia , Kraemer Kandy , Inglima Kenneth , Press Robert , Bosco Joseph
Published: May 2014

Background

Treatment ofStaphylococcus aureuscolonization before surgery reduces risk of surgical site infection (SSI). The regimen of nasal mupirocin ointment and topical chlorhexidine gluconate is effective, but cost and patient compliance may be a barrier. Nasal povidone-iodine solution may provide an alternative to mupirocin.

Methods

We conducted an investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized trial comparing SSI after arthroplasty or spine fusion in patients receiving topical chlorhexidine wipes in combination with either twice daily application of nasal mupirocin ointment during the 5 days before surgery or 2 applications of povidone-iodine solution into each nostril within 2 hours of surgical incision. The primary study end point was deep SSI within the 3 months after surgery.

Results

In the modified intent-to-treat analysis, a deep SSI developed after 14 of 855 surgical procedures in the mupirocin group and 6 of 842 surgical procedures in the povidone-iodine group (P= .1);S. aureusdeep SSI developed after 5 surgical procedures in the mupirocin group and 1 surgical procedure in the povidone-iodine group (P= .2). In the per protocol analysis,S. aureusdeep SSI developed in 5 of 763 surgical procedures in the mupirocin group and 0 of 776 surgical procedures in the povidone-iodine group (P= .03).

Conclusions

Nasal povidone-iodine may be considered as an alternative to mupirocin in a multifaceted approach to reduce SSI.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01313182.
CLImAT: accurate detection of copy number alteration and loss of heterozygosity in impure and aneuploid tumor samples using whole-genome sequencing data
Authors: Yu Zhenhua , Liu Yuanning , Shen Yi , Wang Minghui , Li Ao
Published: May 2014

Motivation: Whole-genome sequencing of tumor samples has been demonstrated as an efficient approach for comprehensive analysis of genomic aberrations in cancer genome. Critical issues such as tumor impurity and aneuploidy, GC-content and mappability bias have been reported to complicate identification of copy number alteration and loss of heterozygosity in complex tumor samples. Therefore, efficient computational methods are required to address these issues.

Results: We introduce CLImAT (CNA and LOH Assessment in Impure and Aneuploid Tumors), a bioinformatics tool for identification of genomic aberrations from tumor samples using whole-genome sequencing data. Without requiring a matched normal sample, CLImAT takes integrated analysis of read depth and allelic frequency and provides extensive data processing procedures including GC-content and mappability correction of read depth and quantile normalization of B-allele frequency. CLImAT accurately identifies copy number alteration and loss of heterozygosity even for highly impure tumor samples with aneuploidy. We evaluate CLImAT on both simulated and real DNA sequencing data to demonstrate its ability to infer tumor impurity and ploidy and identify genomic aberrations in complex tumor samples.

Availability and implementation: The CLImAT software package can be freely downloaded at http://bioinformatics.ustc.edu.cn/CLImAT/ .

Contact : aoli@ustc.edu.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A two-stage biomass model to assess the English Channel cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis L.) stock
Authors: Gras Michaël , Roel Beatriz A. , Coppin Franck , Foucher Eric , Robin Jean-Paul
Published: May 2014

The English Channel cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is the most abundant cephalopod resource in the Northeast Atlantic and one of the three most valuable resources for English Channel fishers. Depletion methods and age-structured models have been used to assess the stock, though they have shown limitations related to the model assumptions and data demand. A two-stage biomass model is, therefore, proposed here using, as input data, four abundance indices derived from survey and commercial trawl data collected by Ifremer and Cefas. The model suggests great interannual variability in abundance during the 17 years of the period considered and a decreasing trend in recent years. Model results suggest that recruitment strength is independent of spawning–stock biomass, but appears to be influenced by environmental conditions such as sea surface temperature at the start of the life cycle. Trends in exploitation rate do not reveal evidence of overexploitation. Reference points are proposed and suggestions for management of the sustainable utilization of cuttlefish in the English Channel are advanced.
Brain disorders and the biological role of music
Authors: Clark Camilla N. , Downey Laura E. , Warren Jason D.
Published: May 2014

Despite its evident universality and high social value, the ultimate biological role of music and its connection to brain disorders remain poorly understood. Recent findings from basic neuroscience have shed fresh light on these old problems. New insights provided by clinical neuroscience concerning the effects of brain disorders promise to be particularly valuable in uncovering the underlying cognitive and neural architecture of music and for assessing candidate accounts of the biological role of music. Here we advance a new model of the biological role of music in human evolution and the link to brain disorders, drawing on diverse lines of evidence derived from comparative ethology, cognitive neuropsychology and neuroimaging studies in the normal and the disordered brain. We propose that music evolved from the call signals of our hominid ancestors as a means mentally to rehearse and predict potentially costly, affectively laden social routines in surrogate, coded, low-cost form: essentially, a mechanism for transforming emotional mental states efficiently and adaptively into social signals. This biological role of music has its legacy today in the disordered processing of music and mental states that characterizes certain developmental and acquired clinical syndromes of brain network disintegration.
Pythium brassicum sp. nov.: A Novel Plant Family-Specific Root Pathogen
Authors: Stanghellini Michael E. , Mohammadi Mojtaba , Förster Helga , Adaskaveg James E.
Published: May 2014

Roots of stunted broccoli plants (Brassica oleracea) from the Palo Verde Valley, CA, were observed at various stages of decay. A species of Pythium with large spiny oogonia was microscopically observed and consistently isolated from decayed roots. Isolates produced spherical, intercalary sporangia (average 34.5 μm in diameter) and aplerotic oospores (average 37.3 μm in diameter) in oogonia (average 47.4 μm in diameter) bearing numerous conical spines (average 8.5 μm in height and 5.5 μm basal width) with blunt apices. A representative broccoli isolate (P1) had a 99% internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence similarity with Pythium jasmonium (nom. inval., GenBank AF216654.1), a species which has not been formally described. Three other accessions in GenBank also carry the specific epithet of P. jasmonium and were originally isolated from diseased plants in the family Brassicaceae. In our study, these isolates were pathogenic on broccoli and morphologically similar to P1. P1 was pathogenic to 10 cultivated and 12 wild plants in the family Brassicaceae but not to 18 species of cultivated plants belonging to nine other plant families. Mycelial growth of our isolates occurred between <10 and 35°C, with an optimum of 25°C (maximum growth rate 25 mm/day). Our broccoli isolates are related to other species in subclade B of clade J. Members of subclade B include P. mastophorum, P. uncinulatum, P. buismaniae, P. polymastum, and P. megalacanthum. However, the broccoli isolates, in addition to all those in GenBank that carry the specific epithet of P. jasmonium, possess unique ITS, β-tubulin, and cox1 sequences that are sufficiently different from other species in subclade B to justify status as a new species. We propose that isolates previously designated as P. jasmonium (nom. inval.) be renamed as P. brassicum sp. nov. based on their apparent plant family-specific pathogenicity.
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Squash vein yellowing virus Infections in Watermelon
Authors: Turechek William W. , Roberts Pamela D. , Stansly Philip A. , Webster Craig G. , Kousik Chandrasekar S. , Adkins Scott
Published: May 2014

Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) is a whitefly-transmitted ipomovirus infecting watermelon and other cucurbits that was recently introduced to Florida. Effects on watermelon are devastating, with total vine collapse, often near harvest, and fruit rendered unmarketable by brown, discolored flesh. The epidemiology of SqVYV was studied in a 1-ha field of ‘Fiesta’ watermelon over six growing seasons (I to VI) to characterize the spatial patterning of disease and temporal rate of disease progress, as well as its association with Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) and Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), two additional whitefly-transmitted viruses that often occur with SqVYV. The field was scouted at regular intervals for the length of the season for incidence of virus and number of whiteflies. Incidence of SqVYV reached 100% during seasons I, II, and V and 20% during season III. SqVYV did not occur during seasons IV and VI. SqVYV progressed in a characteristic logistic fashion in seasons I, II, and V but less so in season III. The rate of disease progress was similar for the three seasons with high disease incidence, with an average value of 0.18. A positive correlation between the area under the disease progress curve and whitefly-days was found, where both progress curves were calculated as a function of thermal time (degree days, base 0°C). SqVYV displayed significant but variable levels of aggregation, as indicated by its fit to the β-binomial distribution, the binary power law, and ordinary runs analysis. Association analysis indicated that the viruses were largely transmitted independently. Results of this study provide epidemiological information that will be useful in the development of management strategies for SqVYV-induced vine decline, and provide new information for CuLCrV and CYSDV.
Comparative Analysis of Type III Secreted Effector Genes Reflects Divergence of Acidovorax citrulli Strains into Three Distinct Lineages
Authors: Eckshtain-Levi Noam , Munitz Tamar , Živanović Marija , Traore Sy M. , Spröer Cathrin , Zhao Bingyu , Welbaum Gregory , Walcott Ron , Sikorski Johannes , Burdman Saul
Published: May 2014

Acidovorax citrulli causes bacterial fruit blotch of cucurbits, a serious economic threat to watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and melon (Cucumis melo) production worldwide. Based on genetic and biochemical traits, A. citrulli strains have been divided into two distinct groups: group I strains have been mainly isolated from various non-watermelon hosts, while group II strains have been generally isolated from and are highly virulent on watermelon. The pathogen depends on a functional type III secretion system for pathogenicity. Annotation of the genome of the group II strain AAC00-1 revealed 11 genes encoding putative type III secreted (T3S) effectors. Due to the crucial role of type III secretion for A. citrulli pathogenicity, we hypothesized that group I and II strains differ in their T3S effector repertoire. Comparative analysis of the 11 effector genes from a collection of 22 A. citrulli strains confirmed this hypothesis. Moreover, this analysis led to the identification of a third A. citrulli group, which was supported by DNA:DNA hybridization, DNA fingerprinting, multilocus sequence analysis of conserved genes, and virulence assays. The effector genes assessed in this study are homologous to effectors from other plant-pathogenic bacteria, mainly belonging to Xanthomonas spp. and Ralstonia solanacearum. Analyses of the effective number of codons and gas chromatography content of effector genes relative to a representative set of housekeeping genes support the idea that these effector genes were acquired by lateral gene transfer. Further investigation is required to identify new T3S effectors of A. citrulli and to determine their contribution to virulence and host preferential association.
Serious Complications Related to Obstetric Anesthesia
Authors: D’Angelo Robert , Smiley Richard M. , Riley Edward T. , Segal Scott
Published: May 2014

Background:

Because of the lack of large obstetric anesthesia databases, the incidences of serious complications related to obstetric anesthesia remain unknown. The Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology developed the Serious Complication Repository Project to establish the incidence of serious complications related to obstetric anesthesia and to identify risk factors associated with each.

Methods:

Serious complications were defined by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Research Committee which also coordinated the study. Thirty institutions participated in the approximately 5-yr study period. Data were collected as part of institutional quality assurance and sent to the central project coordinator quarterly.

Results:

Data were captured on more than 257,000 anesthetics, including 5,000 general anesthetics for cesarean delivery. There were 157 total serious complications reported, 85 of which were anesthesia related. High neuraxial block, respiratory arrest in labor and delivery, and unrecognized spinal catheter were the most frequent complications encountered. A serious complication occurs in approximately 1:3,000 (1:2,443 to 1:3,782) obstetric anesthetics.

Conclusions:

The Serious Complication Repository Project establishes the incidence of serious complications in obstetric anesthesia. Because serious complications related to obstetric anesthesia are rare, there were too few complications in each category to identify risk factors associated with each. However, because many of these complications can lead to catastrophic outcomes, it is recommended that the anesthesia provider remains vigilant and be prepared to rapidly diagnose and treat any complication.
Flow cytometric sexing of spider sperm reveals an equal sperm production ratio in a female-biased species
Authors: Vanthournout B. , Deswarte K. , Hammad H. , Bilde T. , Lambrecht B. , Hendrickx F.
Published: May 2014

Producing equal amounts of male and female offspring has long been considered an evolutionarily stable strategy. Nevertheless, exceptions to this general rule (i.e. male and female biases) are documented in many taxa, making sex allocation an important domain in current evolutionary biology research. Pinpointing the underlying mechanism of sex ratio bias is challenging owing to the multitude of potential sex ratio-biasing factors. In the dwarf spider,Oedothorax gibbosus, infection with the bacterial endosymbiontWolbachiaresults in a female bias. However, pedigree analysis reveals that other factors influence sex ratio variation. In this paper, we investigate whether this additional variation can be explained by the unequal production of male- and female-determining sperm cells during sperm production. Using flow cytometry, we show that males produce equal amounts of male- and female-determining sperm cells; thus bias in sperm production does not contribute to the sex ratio bias observed in this species. This demonstrates that other factors such as parental genes suppressing endosymbiont effects and cryptic female choice might play a role in sex allocation in this species.
Human face processing is tuned to sexual age preferences
Authors: Ponseti J. , Granert O. , van Eimeren T. , Jansen O. , Wolff S. , Beier K. , Deuschl G. , Bosinski H. , Siebner H.
Published: May 2014

Human faces can motivate nurturing behaviour or sexual behaviour when adults see a child or an adult face, respectively. This suggests that face processing is tuned to detecting age cues of sexual maturity to stimulate the appropriate reproductive behaviour: either caretaking or mating. In paedophilia, sexual attraction is directed to sexually immature children. Therefore, we hypothesized that brain networks that normally are tuned to mature faces of the preferred gender show an abnormal tuning to sexual immature faces in paedophilia. Here, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test directly for the existence of a network which is tuned to face cues of sexual maturity. During fMRI, participants sexually attracted to either adults or children were exposed to various face images. In individuals attracted to adults, adult faces activated several brain regions significantly more than child faces. These brain regions comprised areas known to be implicated in face processing, and sexual processing, including occipital areas, the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and, subcortically, the putamen and nucleus caudatus. The same regions were activated in paedophiles, but with a reversed preferential response pattern.