bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and properties of cellulose‐based nano composites of clay and polypropylene
Authors: Pandey Jitendra K. , Lee Sena , Kim Hyun‐Joong , Takagi Hitoshi , Lee C.S. , Ahn S.H.
Published: February 2012

Composites of polypropylene (PP) and crystalline cellulose were prepared after modification of the host matrix by reactive extrusion grafting of maleic anhydride. Acid, alkali, and mechanical treatment of wood flour (WF) was conducted to obtain a suspension of micro‐ and nanocrystalline cellulose. Layered silicates (clay) were partially intercalated with cellulose crystals, and the modified layered silicate was used as filler in the PP matrix at various concentrations via a melt‐blending process. The tensile strength of composites prepared from cellulose‐modified clay was greater than that of the PP‐clay and PP‐WF composites at a 5% filler concentration, whereas deterioration of mechanical properties was observed when clay and WF were used alone for reinforcement. The dispersion of the filler in the matrix significantly decreased after clay modification with cellulose at higher concentrations, as shown by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed an increase in the thermal resistance of samples, which was attributed to the presence of clay platelets that dissipated heat by generating torture paths. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Antagonism of microRNA Function in Zebrafish Embryos by Using Locked Nucleic Acid Enzymes (LNAzymes)
Authors: Suryawanshi Hemant , Lalwani Mukesh Kumar , Ramasamy Soundhar , Rana Rajiv , Scaria Vinod , Sivasubbu Sridhar , Maiti Souvik
Published: February 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have crucial functions in many cellular processes, such as differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis; aberrant expression of miRNAs has been linked to human diseases, including cancer. Tools that allow specific and efficient knockdown of miRNAs would be of immense importance for exploring miRNA function. Zebrafish serves as an excellent vertebrate model system to understand the functions of miRNAs involved in a variety of biological processes. We designed and employed a strategy based on locked nucleic acid enzymes (LNAzymes) for in vivo knockdown of miRNA in zebrafish embryos. We demonstrate that LNAzyme can efficiently knockdown miRNAs with minimal toxicity to the zebrafish embryos.
Design of Particulate Systems by Variation of the Characteristics of Biogenic Particles
Authors: Wenda Nadine , Woehlecke Holger , Detloff Torsten , Lerche Dietmar
Published: February 2012

Microparticles are of outstanding importance in many areas today. Their synthesis is often very expensive to achieve certain properties. Therefore, particles from biological sources offer new possibilities since nature provides a wide range of particle shapes and sizes. In this work bioparticles of different properties are presented, which can be prepared from plant pollen. The focus is on three applications for these bioparticles. Besides its use as reference particles for particle shape analysis, the usage of purified sporopollenin microcapsules for the chromatographic separation of macromolecules is described. A third application is the use of sporopollenin microcapsules for immobilization of polymers or drugs.
The Thinner the Better: Self‐Esteem and Low Body Weight in Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Brockmeyer Timo , Holtforth Martin Grosse , Bents Hinrich , Kämmerer Annette , Herzog Wolfgang , Friederich Hans‐Christoph
Published: February 2012

The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between self‐esteem, motive satisfaction, and body weight in acute (acAN) and recovered (recAN) inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and in healthy controls. Both acAN and recAN showed lower levels of self‐esteem as compared with healthy controls but did not differ from each other. In acAN, decreased body weight was associated with increased self‐esteem. Satisfaction of an achievement motive but not satisfaction of a superiority motive mediated this association. No such correlations could be observed in the other groups. This is the first study to show an often assumed association between decreased body weight and increased self‐esteem in AN patients. These preliminary results strengthen the assumption that low body weight may foster self‐esteem in patients with acAN, mainly through the satisfaction of an achievement motive. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Self‐esteem should be focused very early in the treatment of AN since weight gain may deprive the patient of an important source of self‐esteem.

Treatment interventions should be attuned to underlying motives of threatened self‐esteem; in AN patients, the enhancement of self‐esteem via weight loss seems to be rather fuelled by the satisfaction of an achievement motive than by the satisfaction of a superiority motive.

Specific trainings to improve self‐esteem in AN patients seem to be promising as an add‐on to regular treatment.
Modeling climate change impacts on overwintering bald eagles
Authors: Harvey Chris J. , Moriarty Pamela E. , Salathé Jr. Eric P.
Published: February 2012

Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are recovering from severe population declines, and are exerting pressure on food resources in some areas. Thousands of bald eagles overwinter near Puget Sound, primarily to feed on chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) carcasses. We used modeling techniques to examine how anticipated climate changes will affect energetic demands of overwintering bald eagles. We applied a regional downscaling method to two global climate change models to obtain hourly temperature, precipitation, wind, and longwave radiation estimates at the mouths of three Puget Sound tributaries (the Skagit, Hamma Hamma, and Nisqually rivers) in two decades, the 1970s and the 2050s. Climate data were used to drive bald eagle bioenergetics models from December to February for each river, year, and decade. Bald eagle bioenergetics were insensitive to climate change: despite warmer winters in the 2050s, particularly near the Nisqually River, bald eagle food requirements declined only slightly (<1%). However, the warming climate caused salmon carcasses to decompose more rapidly, resulting in 11% to 14% less annual carcass biomass available to eagles in the 2050s. That estimate is likely conservative, as it does not account for decreased availability of carcasses due to anticipated increases in winter stream flow. Future climate‐driven declines in winter food availability, coupled with a growing bald eagle population, may force eagles to seek alternate prey in the Puget Sound area or in more remote ecosystems.
Risk Management of Nonstandard Basket Options with Different Underlying Assets
Authors: Dionne Georges , Gauthier Geneviève , Ouertani Nadia
Published: February 2012

Basket options are among the most popular products of the new generation of exotic options. They are particularly attractive because they can efficiently and simultaneously hedge a wide variety of intrinsically different financial risks and are flexible enough to cover all the risks faced by firms. Oddly, the existing literature on basket options considers only standard baskets where all underlying assets are of the same type and hedge the same kind of risk. Moreover, the empirical implementation of basket‐option models remains in its early stages, particularly when the baskets contain different underlying assets. This study focuses on various steps for developing sound risk management of basket options. We first propose a theoretical model of a nonstandard basket option on commodity price with stochastic convenience yield, exchange rate, and domestic and foreign zero‐coupon bonds in a stochastic interest rate setting. We compare the hedging performance of the extended basket option containing different underlying assets with that of a portfolio of individual options. The results show that the basket strategy is more efficient. We apply the maximum likelihood method to estimate the parameters of the basket model and the correlations between variables. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to examine the performance of the maximum likelihood estimator in finite samples of simulated data. A real‐data study for a nonfinancial firm is presented to illustrate ways practitioners could use the extended basket option. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 33:299‐326, 2013
A Forward Monte Carlo Method for American Options Pricing
Authors: Miao Daniel Wei‐Chung , Lee Yung‐Hsin
Published: February 2012

This study proposes a forward Monte Carlo method for the pricing of American options. The main advantage of this method is that it does not use backward induction as required by other methods. Instead, the proposed approach relies on a wise determination about whether a simulated stock price has entered the exercise region. The validity of the proposed method is supported by the mathematical proofs for the vanilla cases. With some adaption, it is shown that this forward method can be extended to price other American style options such as chooser and exchange options. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach using a series of numerical examples, revealing significant improvements in numerical efficiency and accuracy in contrast with the standard regression‐based method of Longstaff and Schwartz (2001). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 33:369‐395, 2013
Changes in the brain during long‐term follow‐up after liver transplantation
Authors: Herynek Vít , Wagnerová Dita , Hejlová Irena , Dezortová Monika , Hájek Milan
Published: February 2012

Purpose:

To examine changes in the brain before liver transplantation caused by the accumulation of paramagnetic ion deposits and to investigate recovery after liver transplantation over a long‐term horizon.

Materials and Methods:

Fifteen patients indicated for liver transplantation, 26 patients up to 2 years after, and 40 patients 8–15 years after liver transplantation were subjected to MR relaxometry. T1 and T2 relaxation times in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and white matter were evaluated.

Results:

Relaxometry revealed a shortening of the relaxation times due to the deposition of paramagnetic ions in the basal ganglia before liver transplantation (P < 0.05), complete normalization of the relaxation times shortly after transplantation in the globus pallidus and caudate nucleus, and partial recovery of T2 in the putamen. Relaxation times remained stable even 15 years posttransplantation. Increased relaxation times posttransplantation were found in the white matter and thalamus.

Conclusion:

The shortening of the relaxation times observed in the basal ganglia before liver transplantation was caused by paramagnetic ion deposition. The recovery observable within 2 years after transplantation was permanent, and no recurrence of paramagnetic ion deposition was observed even 15 years posttransplantation. Changes in the white matter and thalamus after transplantation were attributed to damage caused by permanent exposure to immunosuppressants. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1332–1337. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrospun Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanofibres with Biocidal Additives for Application in Filter Media, 2–Antimicrobial Activity, Regeneration, Leaching and Water Stability
Authors: Gule Nonjabulo Prudence , de Kwaadsteniet Michele , Cloete Thomas Eugene , Klumperman Bert
Published: February 2012

Antimicrobial poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibres are produced using AquaQure biocide as additive to the polymer solution. AquaQure is an aqueous antimicrobial agent containing mainly Cu2+ and Zn2+. Antimicrobial tests show that the fibres achieve up to a 5 log reductions in populations of E. coli, S. aureus, S. typhimurium, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae bacteria. Reusability of the nanofibre membranes is investigated to establish if the nanofibres retain their morphology and antimicrobial effectiveness over six cycles of water filtration. Leaching of AquaQure constituents from the nanofibres into filtered water is assessed and found to be at acceptable levels.

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NQR parameters of complexes and polarizability effect
Authors: Egorochkin Alexey N. , Kuznetsova Olga V. , Khamaletdinova Nadiya M. , Domratcheva‐Lvova Lada G.
Published: February 2012

The literature data on substituent influence on the nuclear quadrupole resonance frequencies (ν), quadrupole coupling constants (e2Qq ⋅ h− 1), and asymmetry parameters (η) for 36 series of the H‐complexes, charge–transfer complexes, transition metal complexes and other donor–acceptor complexes have been considered, using the correlation analysis. Generally the ν, e2Qq ⋅ h− 1, and η values were first established to depend on the inductive, resonance, polarizability, and steric effects of substituents. The presence or otherwise of certain effects as well as relation between their contributions are determined by the type of series. The polarizability effect owes its existence to the appearance of an excess charge on the indicator centre as a result of the complexation. The contribution of this effect ranges up to 75%. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychometric Properties of the Swedish Rheumatic Disease Empowerment Scale, SWE‐RES‐23
Authors: Arvidsson Susann , Bergman Stefan , Arvidsson Barbro , Fridlund Bengt , Tingström Pia
Published: February 2012

Introduction

Empowerment is a central concept in both rheumatology and diabetes care. A Swedish empowerment instrument for patients with rheumatic diseases has not been created before now. The aim of the present study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Swedish Rheumatic Disease Empowerment Scale, SWE‐RES‐23, such as construct validity, internal consistency reliability, inter‐item correlations and discriminant validity.

Methods

The already existing instrument, the Swedish Diabetes Empowerment Scale (SWE‐DES‐23), was adapted for use in patients with rheumatic diseases. The adapted instrument was called the SWE‐RES‐23. In 2009, 260 patients with rheumatic diseases from a rheumatology unit in Sweden completed the instrument. Construct validity was tested by using exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency reliability was tested by the use of Cronbach's α‐coefficient. In order to determine unidimensionality of the empowerment subscales, inter‐item correlations were calculated. To establish discriminant validity, an item about self‐perceived health from the Short Form (SF) 36 was used in addition to the SWE‐RES‐23.

Results

The exploratory factor analysis resulted in five factors (empowerment subscales) with eigenvalues >1, explaining 64.1% of the total variance: Goal achievement and overcoming barriers to goal achievement; Self‐knowledge; Managing stress; Assessing dissatisfaction and readiness to change; and Support for caring. Cronbach's α values ranged from 0.59 to 0.91, and the value for the total score was 0.92.

Conclusion

The results support the possibility of adapting the SWE‐DES‐23 for use in patients with rheumatic diseases. The SWE‐RES‐23 shows acceptable psychometric properties, in terms of construct validity and internal consistency reliability. To validate the SWE‐RES‐23 fully, further studies are needed, with a focus on test‐retest correlations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous bilateral hip joint imaging at 7 Tesla using fast transmit B1 shimming methods and multichannel transmission – a feasibility study
Authors: Ellermann J. , Goerke U. , Morgan P. , Ugurbil K. , Tian J. , Schmitter S. , Vaughan T. , Van De Moortele P.‐F.
Published: February 2012

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous bilateral hip imaging at 7 Tesla. Hip joint MRI becomes clinically critical since recent advances have made hip arthroscopy an efficacious approach to treat a variety of early hip diseases. The success of these treatments requires a reliable and accurate diagnosis of intraarticular abnormalities at an early stage. Articular cartilage assessment is especially important to guide surgical decisions but is difficult to achieve with current MR methods. Because of gains in tissue contrast and spatial resolution reported at ultra high magnetic fields, there are strong expectations that imaging the hip joint at 7 Tesla will improve diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that the majority of these hip abnormalities occur bilaterally, emphasizing the need for bilateral imaging.

However, obtaining high quality images in the human torso, in particular of both hips simultaneously, must overcome a major challenge arising from the damped traveling wave behaviour of RF waves at 7 Tesla that leads to severe inhomogeneities in transmit B1 (B1+) phase and magnitude, typically resulting in areas of low signal and contrast, and consequently impairing use for clinical applications. To overcome this problem, a 16‐channel stripline transceiver RF coil was used, together with a B1 shimming algorithm aiming at maximizing B1+ in six regions of interest over the hips that were identified on axial scout images. Our successful results demonstrate that this approach effectively reduces inhomogeneities observed before B1 shimming and provides high joint tissue contrast in both hips while reducing the required RF power. Critical to this success was a fast small flip angle B1+ calibration scan that permitted the computation of subject‐specific B1 shimming solutions, a necessary step to account for large spatial variations in B1+ phase observed in different subjects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with necrotizing enterocolitis in premature newborns
Authors: Levendoglu‐Tugal Oya , Alexander Vana , Parvez Boriana , LaGamma Edmund F.
Published: February 2012

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a systemic disease resulting from the excessive release of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages under prolonged antigenic stimulation. If untreated, it leads to multiorgan failure and death. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has not previously been associated with HLH. Here we report four preterm infants who were diagnosed with HLH associated with NEC. Two patients received chemotherapy and one survived. The other two infants succumbed to multiorgan failure. These results suggest that NEC may be a common clinical manifestation of HLH in premature neonates. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:315–317. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nanoparticle Synthesis and Growth in a Continuous Plasma Reactor from Organosilicon Precursors
Authors: Roth Christian , Oberbossel Gina , Buitrago Elizabeth , Heuberger Roman , Rudolf von Rohr Philipp
Published: February 2012

Silica‐like nanoparticles are produced from four different organosilicon monomers HMDSO, TMDSO, TEOS and TMOS in a continuous non‐equilibrium plasma reactor. The nanoparticle synthesis is studied as a function of the process pressure, plasma power, gas velocity,and gas composition (Ar:O2:monomer). The morphology, mass production,and chemical composition of the plasma formed particlesare investigated. An adapted particle growth model for a continuous plasma reactor is introduced which explains the influence of the different process parameters on particle evolution. The morphology of the produced amorphous particles is similar to fumed silica, with primary particles in the size range of 10 nm building hard‐agglomerates of several hundred nanometers during the synthesis.

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miR‐141 modulates androgen receptor transcriptional activity in human prostate cancer cells through targeting the small heterodimer partner protein
Authors: Xiao Jing , Gong Ai‐Yu , Eischeid Alex N. , Chen Dongqing , Deng Caishu , Young Charles Y.F. , Chen Xian‐Ming
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND

Aberrant expressions of microRNAs, including upregulation of miR‐141, are closely associated with the tumorigenesis of prostate cancer (PCa). The orphan receptor small heterodimer partner (Shp) is a co‐repressor to androgen receptor (AR) and represses AR‐regulated transcriptional activity.

METHODS

Here, we investigated the correlation of Shp expression with the cellular level of miR‐141 and its effects on AR transcriptional activity in non‐malignant and malignant human prostate epithelial cell lines.

RESULTS

We found that Shp was downregulated in multiple PCa cell lines. The mature form of miR‐141 was upregulated in PCa cells. miR‐141 could target 3′‐untranslated region of Shp mRNA resulting in translational suppression and RNA degradation. Moreover, enforced expression of Shp or inhibition of miR‐141 function by anti‐miR‐141 attenuated AR‐regulated transcriptional activity in AR‐responsive LNCaP cells. Phenethyl isothiocyanate, a natural constituent of many edible cruciferous vegetables, increased Shp expression, downregulated miR‐141, and inhibited AR transcriptional activity in LNCaP cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Shp is a target for miR‐141 and it is downregulated in cultured human PCa cells with the involvement of upregulation of miR‐141, which promotes AR transcriptional activity. Moreover, Shp and miR‐141 could be targets for chemoprevention for PCa. Prostate 72:1514–1522, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synchrotron investigation of the multilayer nanoperiodical Al2O3/SiO/Al2O3/SiO…Si structure formation
Authors: Turishchev S. Yu. , Terekhov V. A. , Koyuda D. A. , Pankov K. N. , Domashevskaya E. P. , Ershov A. V. , Chugrov I. A. , Mashin A. I.
Published: February 2012

The results of a multilayered nanoperiodical structures (MNS; Al2O3/SiO/Al2O3/SiO…Si) investigation using X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy technique are presented. XANES spectra were obtained using synchrotron radiation. Possible silicon nanocluster formations are shown on the surface layers of the MNS under high‐temperature annealing. At the same time, possible aluminum silicate formation is shown. The phenomenon of absorption spectra intensity inversion is demonstrated in the results of the interaction between synchrotron radiation and MNS. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Omega‐Functionalized Fatty Acids, Alcohols, and Ethers via Olefin Metathesis
Authors: Zerkowski Jonathan A. , Solaiman Daniel K. Y.
Published: February 2012

Methyl 17‐hydroxy stearate was converted to methyl octadec‐16‐enoate using copper sulfate adsorbed on silica gel. This compound served as a useful substrate for the olefin metathesis reaction. As a result, several fatty acids with novel functional groups at the ω‐end were prepared: a glyceryl ether attached at the 18‐carbon, an aromatic fatty acid from eugenol, and a ferrocenyl fatty acid. By employing the unsaturated fatty alcohol, other groups were introduced, namely the terminal fluoride, bromide, and iodide were prepared, as was a thiol derivative. The penultimate and omega olefins reported here should serve as building blocks that allow fatty acids to make a greater contribution to a range of emerging technological areas.
Optimization of Phytosterols Recovery from Soybean Oil Deodorizer Distillate
Authors: Yan Feng , Yang Haojun , Li Jianxin , Wang Huiling
Published: February 2012

A large amount of phytosterols in the bound form remains in the waste residue during the traditional process of recovering tocopherols and sterols from soybean oil deodorizer distillate (SODD). In order to avoid the loss of natural resources, we developed a process to recover the maximum amount of phytosterols from SODD. The process includes saponification, methyl esterification, and crystallization. The purpose of saponification and methyl esterification were to decompose the bound phytosterols and to esterify the fatty acids, respectively. The yield of sterols was dependent on saponification and solvent crystallization. The conditions of saponification and solvent crystallization were optimized by single‐factor tests and response surface methodology, respectively. The sterol yield obtained under the optimized conditions was 6.64%. This value is much greater than 4.43% obtained by the traditional industrial process. The purity of the recovered sterols was 94.7%.
Quality of Intrathecal Baclofen From Different Sources
Authors: Farid Reza , Murdock Fred A. , Bonnett Anne , Mawhinney Thomas P. , Chance Deborah , Waters James K. , Hewett John E.
Published: February 2012

Objective

To compare the quality of intrathecal baclofen obtained from a national compounding pharmacy (AnazaoHealth) with the manufactured product (Lioresal) with regard to accuracy and precision of baclofen concentration, and the content of the baclofen degradation product, 4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐pyrrolidinone (PYR).

Design

Samples of baclofen used for refilling intrathecal pumps were placed in 1.2‐mL silicone gasket–sealed cryogenic vials and stored at or lower than −25°C. Each sample was a different lot number (Lioresal) or prescription number (AnazaoHealth). The laboratory was blinded to the source of the solutions. Coupled with electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry analyte confirmation, quantitation of baclofen and PYR in each sample was performed in duplicate by using high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection via a photodiode array detector.

Setting

Outpatient clinic.

Participants

Patients with intrathecal baclofen pumps.

Main Outcome Measures

Accuracy and precision of baclofen concentration, and concentration of PYR.

Results

The difference of mean concentrations from expected concentrations of 500 and 2000 μg/mL were significantly greater for samples from AnazaoHealth compared with Lioresal. Values are shown as mean (± standard error), with n the number samples, for AnazaoHealth compared with Lioresal: (537.1 ± 6.7 μg/mL [n = 8] versus 515.6 ± 0.82 μg/mL [n = 5]; P = .034, respectively) and (2211.4 ± 21.6 μg/mL [n = 12] versus 2055.3 ± 8.7 μg/mL [n = 4]; P = .004, respectively). AnazaoHealth samples with expected concentration of 4000 μg/mL were 3987.7 ± 79.9 μg/mL, n = 7. All 9 Lioresal samples were within 5% of the expected concentration. Of 27 AnazaoHealth samples, 22 were more than 5%, and 8 were more than 10% different from the expected concentration. No PYR was detected in any sample from AnazaoHealth. All samples of Lioresal contained PYR, but all solutions contained less PYR than 1% of the baclofen concentration.

Conclusions

Lioresal was more accurate in concentration and more precise among batches than compounded intrathecal baclofen but had higher levels of PYR.
ON A CERTAIN CONVOLUTION OF POLYLOGARITHMS
Authors: TSUMURA HIROFUMI
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we consider certain double series analogous to Tornheim’s double series and real analytic Eisenstein series. By computing double integrals in two ways, we express the double series as a sum of products of polylogarithms. The technique generalises one given by Kanemitsu, Tanigawa and Yoshimoto. Evaluating the double series at particular points gives new evaluations for certain double series in terms of values of the Riemann zeta function and the dilogarithm which are analogues of formulas of Mordell and Goncharov.
ON THE DIOPHANTINE EQUATION (8n)x+(15n)y=(17n)z
Authors: YANG ZHI-JUAN , TANG MIN
Published: February 2012

Let a,b,c be relatively prime positive integers such that a2+b2=c2. Half a century ago, Jeśmanowicz [‘Several remarks on Pythagorean numbers’, Wiadom. Mat.1 (1955/56), 196–202] conjectured that for any given positive integer n the only solution of (an)x+(bn)y=(cn)z in positive integers is (x,y,z)=(2,2,2). In this paper, we show that (8n)x+(15n)y=(17n)z has no solution in positive integers other than (x,y,z)=(2,2,2).
The effect of a fictitious peer on young children's choice of familiarv. unfamiliar low- and high-energy-dense foods
Authors: Bevelander Kirsten E. , Anschütz Doeschka J. , Engels Rutger C. M. E.
Published: February 2012

The present experimental study was the first to investigate the impact of a remote (non-existent) peer on children's food choice of familiarv. unfamiliar low- and high-energy-dense food products. In a computer task, children (n316; 50·3 % boys; mean age 7·13 (sd0·75) years) were asked to choose between pictures of familiar and unfamiliar foods in four different choice blocks using the following pairs: (1) familiarv. unfamiliar low-energy-dense foods (fruits and vegetables), (2) familiarv. unfamiliar high-energy-dense foods (high sugar, salt and/or fat content), (3) familiar low-energy-densev. unfamiliar high-energy-dense foods and (4) unfamiliar low-energy-densev. familiar high-energy-dense foods. Participants who were not in the control group were exposed to the food choices (either always the familiar or always the unfamiliar food product) of a same-sex and same-age fictitious peer who was supposedly completing the same task at another school. The present study provided insights into children's choices between (un)familiar low- and high-energy-dense foods in an everyday situation. The findings revealed that the use of fictitious peers increased children's willingness to try unfamiliar foods, although children tended to choose high-energy-dense foods over low-energy-dense foods. Intervention programmes that use peer influence to focus on improving children's choice of healthy foods should take into account children's strong aversion to unfamiliar low-energy-dense foods as well as their general preference for familiar and unfamiliar high-energy-dense foods.
Trophic relationships between predators, whiteflies and their parasitoids in tomato greenhouses: a molecular approach
Authors: Moreno-Ripoll R. , Gabarra R. , Symondson W.O.C. , King R.A. , Agustí N.
Published: February 2012

The whitefliesBemisia tabaciGennadius andTrialeurodes vaporariorum(Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are two of the main pests in tomato crops. Their biological control in Mediterranean IPM systems is based on the predatorsMacrolophus pygmaeus(Rambur) andNesidiocoris tenuisReuter (Hemiptera: Miridae), as well as on the parasitoidsEretmocerus mundus(Mercet) andEncarsia pergandiellaHoward (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). These natural enemies may interact with each other and their joint use could interfere with the biological control of those whitefly pests. Analysis of predator-prey interactions under field conditions is therefore essential in order to optimize whitefly control. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-primers were designed to detect DNA fragments of these whiteflies and parasitoids within both predator species in tomato greenhouses. We demonstrated that both predators feed on both whitefly species, as well as on both parasitoids under greenhouse conditions. Prey molecular detection was possible where prey abundance was very low or even where predation was not observed under a microscope. Whitefly DNA detection was positively correlated with adult whitefly abundance in the crop. However, a significant relationship was not observed between parasitoid DNA detection and the abundance of parasitoid pupae, even though the predation rate on parasitoids was high. This unidirectional intraguild predation (predators on parasitoids) could potentially reduce their combined impact on their joint prey/host. Prey molecular detection provided improved detection of prey consumption in greenhouse crops, as well as the possibility to identify which prey species were consumed by each predator species present in the greenhouse, offering a blueprint with wider applicability to other food webs.
Complex dynamics of Möbius semigroups
Authors: FRIED DAVID , MAROTTA SEBASTIAN M. , STANKEWITZ RICH
Published: February 2012

We study the dynamics of semigroups of Möbius transformations on the Riemann sphere, especially their Julia sets and attractors. This theory relates to the dynamics of rational functions, rational semigroups, and Möbius groups and we compare and contrast these theories. We particularly examine Caruso’s family of Möbius semigroups, based on a random dynamics variant of the Fibonacci sequence.
An L1 ergodic theorem with values in a non-positively curved space via a canonical barycenter map
Authors: NAVAS ANDRÉS
Published: February 2012

We give a general version of the Birkhoff ergodic theorem for functions taking values in non-positively curved spaces. In this setting, the notion of a Birkhoff sum is replaced by that of a barycenter along the orbits. The construction of an appropriate barycenter map is the core of this note. As a byproduct of our construction, we prove a fixed point theorem for actions by isometries on a Buseman space.
Diophantine approximation by orbits of expanding Markov maps
Authors: LIAO LINGMIN , SEURET STÉPHANE
Published: February 2012

In 1995, Hill and Velani introduced the ‘shrinking targets’ theory. Given a dynamical system ([0,1],T), they investigated the Hausdorff dimension of sets of points whose orbits are close to some fixed point. In this paper, we study the sets of points well approximated by orbits {Tnx}n≥0, where Tis an expanding Markov map with a finite partition supported by [0,1]. The dimensions of these sets are described using the multifractal properties of invariant Gibbs measures.
EXPLORING CROSS-COUNTRY VARIATION IN GOVERNMENT SHARES: WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM RELATIVE PRODUCTIVITIES?
Authors: Obrizan Maksym
Published: February 2012

Government shares in total output are characterized by significant variation across countries. I noticed a strong negative correlation between government consumption shares and the price of government services in terms of private consumption. Motivated by this empirical observation, I developed a neoclassical growth model with added government that is capable of matching the variation in government shares very closely using only relative prices. In addition, I provide empirical evidence showing that the relative price of government consumption increases with income, which is consistent with distortions prevailing in poor countries. These two observations combined imply that government shares tend to be higher in poorer countries.
The Representation of Affricates in Cimbrian German
Authors: Hall Tracy Alan
Published: February 2012

It is argued that Cimbrian German requires reference to the natural class of affricates and fricatives and that this grouping is captured by analyzing both sets of sounds as [+continuant]. This finding is problematic for theories that treat affricates as strident stops without a [+continuant] component.*
L-band radiometer design for long-term stability measurement of one-port devices
Authors: de la Jarrige Emilie Leynia , Escotte Laurent , Gonneau Eric , Goutoule Jean-Marc
Published: February 2012

The design of a high-stability radiometer is presented in this paper. It is used to characterize the stability of a microwave active cold load at L-band. The two-load radiometer takes advantage of a noise injection technique to improve its sensitivity. A temperature-stabilized enclosure is used to minimize gain and noise temperature fluctuations of the receiver. The radiometer sensitivity is 0.031 K and the gain fluctuations are less than 0.005 dB during 1 day. The total gain and the receiver noise temperature of the radiometer exhibit very small variations (<0.03 dB and 1 K, respectively) on the long term.
Turbulent effects on the microphysics and initiation of warm rain in deep convective clouds: 2‐D simulations by a spectral mixed‐phase microphysics cloud model
Authors: Benmoshe N. , Pinsky M. , Pokrovsky A. , Khain A.
Published: February 2012

The spectral bin microphysics Hebrew University cloud model with the spatial resolution of 50 × 50 m is used to simulate the evolution of isolated deep mixed phase convective clouds under different meteorological conditions and at different aerosol concentrations. The model takes into account the effects of turbulence on droplet collision rate. Turbulent collision kernels are calculated at each time step and at each grid point. The turbulence‐induced collision rate enhancement is determined by means of lookup tables calculated in the recent studies for different values of turbulent dissipation rate and the Taylor microscale Reynolds numbers. Deep convective clouds observed during the Large‐Scale Biosphere‐Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia–Smoke, Aerosols, Clouds, Rainfall and Climate campaign in the Amazon region are simulated at different aerosol concentrations. Turbulence intensity in the simulated clouds is spatially inhomogeneous and reaches its maximum at the tops of multiple bubbles forming the clouds. It is shown that polluted clouds are more turbulent than those developing in the clean atmosphere. An agreement of the calculated droplet size distributions with those measured in situ is demonstrated. It is shown that turbulence accelerates formation of raindrops, especially in polluted clouds. At the same time, turbulence‐induced collision enhancement lessens the amount of ice and leads to a decrease in the net accumulated rain from mixed‐phase clouds. To a certain degree the effects of turbulence on precipitation counteract the aerosol effects. Since no turbulence effects on collisions of drops larger than 22 μm in radius as well as on drop ice and ice collisions are considered in this study, and taking into account that a 2‐D model geometry is used, the results of the study should be considered as preliminary. Additional numerical and theoretical investigations are required to quantify the turbulent effects.
A reassessment of the budget of formic and acetic acids in the boundary layer at Dumont d'Urville (coastal Antarctica): The role of penguin emissions on the budget of several oxygenated volatile organic compounds
Authors: Legrand Michel , Gros Valérie , Preunkert Susanne , Sarda‐Estève Roland , Thierry Anne‐Mathilde , Pépy Guillaume , Jourdain B.
Published: February 2012

Initiated in 1997, the year‐round study of formic and acetic acids was maintained until 2011 at the coastal Antarctic site of Dumont d'Urville. The records show that formic and acetic acids are rather abundant in summer with typical mixing ratios of 200 pptv and 700 pptv, respectively. With the aim to constrain their budget, investigations of their potential marine precursors like short‐chain alkenes and acetaldehyde were initiated in 2011. Acetic acid levels in December 2010 were four times higher than those observed over summers back to 1997. These unusually high levels were accompanied by unusually high levels of ammonia, and by an enrichment of oxalate in aerosols. These observations suggest that the guano decomposition in the large penguin colonies present at the site was particularly strong under weather conditions encountered in spring 2010 (important snow storms followed by sunny days with mild temperatures). Although being dependent on environmental conditions, this process greatly impacts the local atmospheric budget of acetic acid, acetaldehyde, and acetone during the entire summer season. Present at levels as high as 500 pptv, acetaldehyde may represent the major precursor of acetic acid, alkene‐ozone reactions remaining insignificant sources. Far less influenced by penguin emissions, the budget of formic acid remains not fully understood even if alkene‐ozone reactions contribute significantly.
Metaproteogenomic analysis of a community of sponge symbionts
Authors: Liu Michael , Fan Lu , Zhong Ling , Kjelleberg Staffan , Thomas Torsten
Published: February 2012

Sponges harbour complex communities of diverse microorganisms, which have been postulated to form intimate symbiotic relationships with their host. Here we unravel some of these interactions by characterising the functional features of the microbial community of the sponge Cymbastela concentrica through a combined metagenomic and metaproteomic approach. We discover the expression of specific transport functions for typical sponge metabolites (for example, halogenated aromatics, dipeptides), which indicates metabolic interactions between the community and the host. We also uncover the simultaneous performance of aerobic nitrification and anaerobic denitrification, which would aid to remove ammonium secreted by the sponge. Our analysis also highlights the requirement for the microbial community to respond to variable environmental conditions and hence express an array of stress protection proteins. Molecular interactions between symbionts and their host might also be mediated by a set of expressed eukaryotic-like proteins and cell–cell mediators. Finally, some sponge-associated bacteria (for example, a Phyllobacteriaceae phylotype) appear to undergo an evolutionary adaptation process to the sponge environment as evidenced by active mobile genetic elements. Our data clearly show that a combined metaproteogenomic approach can provide novel information on the activities, physiology and interactions of sponge-associated microbial communities.
The Association Between Childhood Obesity and Tooth Eruption
Authors: Must Aviva , Phillips Sarah M. , Tybor David J. , Lividini Keith , Hayes Catherine
Published: February 2012

Obesity is a growth‐promoting process as evidenced by its effect on the timing of puberty. Although studies are limited, obesity has been shown to affect the timing of tooth eruption. Both the timing and sequence of tooth eruption are important to overall oral health. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between obesity and tooth eruption. Data were combined from three consecutive cycles (2001–2006) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and analyzed to examine associations between the number of teeth erupted (NET) and obesity status (BMI z‐score >95th percentile BMI relative to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth reference) among children 5 up to 14 years of age, controlling for potential confounding by age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status (SES). Obesity is significantly associated with having a higher average NET during the mixed dentition period. On average, teeth of obese children erupted earlier than nonobese children with obese children having on average 1.44 more teeth erupted than nonobese children, after adjusting for age, gender, and race/ethnicity (P < 0.0001). SES was not a confounder of the observed associations. Obese children, on average, have significantly more teeth erupted than nonobese children after adjusting for gender, age, and race. These findings may have clinical importance in the area of dental and orthodontic medicine both in terms of risk for dental caries due to extended length of time exposed in the oral cavity and sequencing which may increase the likelihood of malocclusions.
Replacement of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with bone marrow stromal cells for use in establishing and maintaining embryonic stem cells in mice
Authors: Lee Chae Hyun , Park Jun Hong , Lee Jae Hee , Ahn Ji Yeon , Park Jong Heum , Lee Bo‐Ram , Kim Dae Yong , Lim Jeong Mook
Published: February 2012

We have investigated the use of BMSC (bone marrow stromal cell) as a feeder cell for improving culture efficiency of ESC (embryonic stem cell). B6CBAF1 blastocysts or ESC stored after their establishment were seeded on to a feeder layer of either SCA‐1+/CD45−/CD11b− BMSC or MEF (mouse embryonic fibroblast). Feeder cell activity in promoting ESC establishment from the blastocysts and in supporting ESC maintenance did not differ significantly between BMSC and MEF feeders. However, the highest efficiency of colony formation after culturing of inner cell mass cells of blastocysts was observed with the BMSC line that secreted the largest amount of LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor). Exogenous LIF was essential for the ESC establishment on BMSC feeder, but not for ESC maintenance. Neither change in stem cell‐specific gene expression nor increase in stem cell aneuploidy was detected after the use of BMSC feeder. We conclude that BMSC can be utilized as the feeder of ESC, which improves culture efficiency.
Matrix of small-radius radio-frequency discharges as a volume-production based source of negative hydrogen ions
Authors: Lishev St. , Paunska Ts. , Shivarova A. , Tarnev Kh.
Published: February 2012

Based on experience from a work—both theoretical and experimental one—on negative hydrogen ion beam sources studied regarding fusion applications, a novel design of a rf source with volume production of the ions is proposed. The suggestion is for a source constructed as a matrix of small-radius tandem discharges (with magnetic filters largely extended over the discharge length), inductively driven (by a single coil, for the whole matrix) and with a single aperture extraction from each of them.
Initial study of the optical spectrum of the ISIS H− ion source plasma
Authors: Lawrie S. R. , Faircloth D. C. , Philippe K.
Published: February 2012

The front end test stand is being constructed at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, with the aim of producing a 60 mA, 2 ms, 50 Hz, perfectly chopped H− ion beam. To meet the beam requirements, a more detailed understanding of the ion source plasma is required. To this end, an initial study is made of the optical spectrum of the plasma using a digital spectrometer. The atomic and molecular emission lines of hydrogen and caesium are clearly distinguished and a quantitative comparison is made when the ion source is run in different conditions. The electron temperature is 0.6 eV and measured line widths vary by up to 75%.
Prospects for advanced electron cyclotron resonance and electron beam ion source charge breeding methods for EURISOL
Authors: Delahaye P. , Galata A. , Angot J. , Ban G. , Celona L. , Choinski J. , Gmaj P. , Jakubowski A. , Jardin P. , Kalvas T. , Koivisto H. , Kolhinen V. , Lamy T. , Lunney D. , Maunoury L. , Porcellato A. M. , Prete G. F. , Steckiewicz O. , Sortais P. , Thuillier T. , Tarvainen O. , Traykov E. , Varenne F. , Wenander F.
Published: February 2012

As the most ambitious concept of isotope separation on line (ISOL) facility, EURISOL aims at producing unprecedented intensities of post-accelerated radioactive isotopes. Charge breeding, which transforms the charge state of radioactive beams from 1+ to an n+ charge state prior to post-acceleration, is a key technology which has to overcome the following challenges: high charge states for high energies, efficiency, rapidity and purity. On the roadmap to EURISOL, a dedicated R&D is being undertaken to push forward the frontiers of the present state-of-the-art techniques which use either electron cyclotron resonance or electron beam ion sources. We describe here the guidelines of this R&D.
The partitioning of Dy and Tb in NdFeB magnets: A first-principles study
Authors: Liu X. B. , Altounian Z.
Published: February 2012

Doping with Dy/Tb is a current solution to improve the coercivity and the operating temperature of NdFeB magnets, by increasing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the (Nd, Dy/Tb)2Fe14B (2:14:1) phase. The efficiency of Dy/Tb doping depends on the distribution of Dy/Tb in the multi-phase microstructure of the NdFeB magnet. To understand and control the Dy/Tb redistribution, the partitioning of Dy/Tb between 2:14:1 and Nd-rich phases has been studied by a first-principles density functional calculation. The total energy calculations indicate that Dy and Tb prefer to enter the 4f sites in the 2:14:1 phase. The substitution energies of Dy and Tb in 2:14:1 are negative and are −0.35 eV/atom and −0.33 eV/atom, respectively, as Nd is replaced with 25% of Dy/Tb, i.e., stabilizing the 2:14:1 structure. However, the substitution energies of Dy and Tb in NdO have large positive values. They are 0.83 eV/atom and 0.73 eV/atom for Dy and Tb, respectively, when 25% of Nd is replaced by Dy/Tb. The results indicate that Dy/Tb prefer to enter the 2:14:1 phase rather than the Nd-rich phase (NdO). This is the thermodynamic origin for the selective occupation of Dy and Tb in the 2:14:1 structure which enhances the magnetic anisotropy field.