bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concealed Quaternary strike‐slip fault resolved with airborne lidar and seismic reflection: The Grizzly Valley fault system, northern Walker Lane, California
Authors: Gold Ryan D. , Stephenson William J. , Odum Jack K. , Briggs Richard W. , Crone Anthony J. , Angster Stephen J.
Published: June 2013

The Grizzly Valley fault system (GVFS) strikes northwestward across Sierra Valley, a low‐relief basin situated within a network of active dextral slip faults in the northern Walker Lane, California. Quaternary motion along the Grizzly Valley fault system has not been previously documented. We used high‐resolution (0.25 m) airborne lidar data in combination with high‐resolution,Pwave, seismic reflection imaging to evaluate Quaternary deformation associated with the GVFS. We identified suspected tectonic lineaments using the lidar data and collected seismic reflection data along six profiles across the lineaments. The seismic reflection images reveal a deformed basal marker that we interpret to be the top of Tertiary volcanic rocks overlain by a 120–450 m thick suite of subhorizontal reflectors that we interpret to be Plio‐Pleistocene lacustrine deposits. Three profiles image features that we interpret to be the principal active trace of the GVFS, which is a steeply dipping fault zone that vertically offsets the volcanic rocks and the lacustrine basin fill. These data suggest that the GVFS may have been active in latest Quaternary time because (1) the lidar data show subtle surficial geomorphic features that are typical of youthful faulting, including a topographic lineament marked by an ~1 m high ridge composed of discontinuous, left‐stepping lobes, and (2) the seismic profiles demonstrate shallow faulting of the lacustrine strata that coincides with the left‐stepping ridge. This investigation illustrates the potential for unidentified, low‐rate, strike‐slip faults in basins and emphasizes the value of high‐resolution topographic data and subsurface imaging as a means of identifying these structures.
On the inclusion of Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere version 6 ozone in a data assimilation system
Authors: Remsberg E. , Natarajan M. , Fairlie T. D. , Wargan K. , Pawson S. , Coy L. , Lingenfelser G. , Kim G.
Published: June 2013

Version 6 ozone profiles for 1978–1979 from the Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere experiment on the NIMBUS 7 satellite (or LIMS v6) are assimilated into an updated version of the GEOS‐5 model of NASA. First, an assimilation study is carried out using GEOS‐5 version 7.2 (v7.2) and solar backscatter ultraviolet (SBUV) version 8.6 ozone profiles. Then, a second study is conducted that ingests both the LIMS and SBUV ozone, as weighted by their estimated absolute error vectors. Ozone from this second study compares well with independent observations from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE I) and from the time series of ozonesonde data at Hohenpeissenberg and at Wallops Island. Assimilation of the LIMS data gives improved ozone distributions in the upper stratosphere (pressure < 5 hPa) and in the polar night region—the latter where solar backscatter ultraviolet (SBUV) is not observed. The LIMS ozone leads to improved total column ozone analyses in winter/spring outside of the tropics, based on independent comparisons with total ozone from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer. The LIMS ozone also adds information in the tropics on coherent structural features at 20–30 hPa, related to the phase transition of the quasi‐biennial oscillation wind field. It is affirmed that the process of data assimilation represents a cost‐effective way of characterizing new and/or reprocessed satellite ozone data sets. It is concluded that the GEOS‐5 v7.2 model with the addition of the LIMS data can improve analyses of ozone in 1978–1979.
Losses of NO and N2O emissions from Venezuelan and other worldwide tropical N‐fertilized soils
Authors: Marquina Sorena , Donoso Loreto , Pérez Tibisay , Gil Jenie , Sanhueza Eugenio
Published: June 2013

N fertilization significantly increases N2O and NO soil fluxes to the atmosphere. In spite of the expansion of agricultural activities in tropical managed soils from the developing world, there is little information about the loss of applied nitrogen (LAN) as NO and N2O from these areas. In this work, we determined LAN‐N2O and LAN‐NO from different crops during the growing season at a sandy soil experimental field and two active farms with loamy and clay soils, respectively. Tillage (T) and no‐tillage (NT) farming were separately evaluated. All of the evaluated areas were located in the Venezuela savanna region. A large range of LAN‐N2O (0.30–6.1%) and LAN‐NO (0.26–2.1%) were recorded, with overall average values of 1.9% and 0.9%, respectively. LAN values were mainly affected by soil texture and rainfall pattern, which affected soil moisture and water‐filled pore space. Also, soil management (T and NT) and the chemical composition of the N fertilizer played important roles. The overall average of LAN‐N2O is about two times higher than the IPCC default value of 1%; therefore, our results suggest that a higher factor should be considered for cropping systems in tropical savanna regions.
Thermal performance of nanoscale InGaP/GaAs collector‐up heterojunction bipolar transistors investigated by the advanced optimization technique
Authors: Tseng Hsien‐Cheng , Wu Jeng‐Ming
Published: June 2013

The effects of thermal‐dissipation structure on the thermal performance of nanoscale InGaP/GaAs collector‐up heterojunction bipolar transistors were investigated by using the advanced hybrid optimization technique, a combination of the three‐dimensional finite‐element method for temperature‐distribution analysis and the technology computer‐aided design tool for power‐performance evaluation. Through adequately locating the thermal‐dissipation structure at the rear side of the transistor and via effective thickness‐thinning procedures, which reduce foundry cost, the thermal coupling between collector fingers has been greatly ameliorated and a power‐added efficiency of 45% is achieved. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of East Coast Lows on rainfall patterns and inter‐annual variability across the East Coast of Australia
Authors: Pepler Acacia , Coutts‐Smith Aaron , Timbal Bertrand
Published: June 2013

The Eastern Seaboard (ESB) of Australia is a distinct climate entity, with little relationship between rainfall in this area and the major drivers of rainfall elsewhere in Australia such as the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). One potential cause is the influence of East Coast Lows (ECLs), major coastal weather systems that can produce a significant proportion of rainfall in this region. In this article, a novel approach is used to separate the ECL component of rainfall on the ESB from other sources of rainfall. This method is used to quantify the influence of ECLs on rainfall in this region, with ECLs responsible for 23% of rainfall in the ESB and 40% of widespread heavy rain events. While ECLs are particularly important in the southern ESB and during the cool season (May–October) they can occur in any month, particularly in northern areas of the ESB. ECLs are identified as a significant factor in the weakened relationship between ENSO and rainfall in the ESB, particularly in southern parts; however, these are not the only factor, with local topographic effects also likely to play a role. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
ADAMTS5 is required for biomechanically‐stimulated healing of murine tendinopathy
Authors: Bell Rebecca , Li Jun , Shewman Elizabeth F. , Galante Jorge O. , Cole Brian J. , Bach Bernard R. , Troy Karen L. , Mikecz Katalin , Sandy John D. , Plaas Anna H. , Wang Vincent M.
Published: June 2013

A recently developed murine model of tendinopathy, induced by TGF‐β1 injection, has been used to examine the reparative capacity of tendinopathic Achilles in Adamts5−/− mice. After TGF‐β1 injection and 2 weeks of treadmill exercise, the Achilles from Adamts5−/− mice exhibited a reduction in maximum tensile stress of approximately 60%. However, in contrast to wild type mice previously characterized by this model, Adamts5−/− mice subjected to further treadmill exercise were unable to reverse this biomechanical deficit. This nonreparative phenotype was accompanied by a major deficiency, relative to wild‐type, in expression of Col1a1 and Col3a1 and an abnormally elevated expression of a wide range of integrins. In addition, the tendinopathic Adamts5−/− mice showed a persistent accumulation of chondrogenic cells in the tendon body and an aggrecan‐rich fibrocartilaginous matrix within disorganized collagen fiber bundles. Moreover, consistent with the compromised biomechanical properties of the Achilles in the Adamts5−/− mice, in vivo gait analysis revealed a strong trend (p = 0.07) towards increased swing time of the injected limb in Adamts5−/− relative to wild‐type mice. These findings demonstrate that a deficiency in ADAMTS5 promotes a chondrogenic response to TGF‐β1 injection that is not reversed by treadmill exercise. Hence, repair of biomechanically compromised tendons exhibiting midsubstance chondroid accumulation requires ADAMTS5. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1540–1548, 2013
Cryptotephrochronology of the Eemian and the last interglacial–glacial transition in the North East Atlantic
Authors: ABBOTT PETER M. , AUSTIN WILLIAM E. N. , DAVIES SIWAN M. , PEARCE NICHOLAS J. G. , HIBBERT FIONA D.
Published: June 2013

The Eemian interglacial and the onset of the subsequent glacial period serve as the most recent analogue for the natural operation of the climate system during the current interglacial. Pronounced climatic oscillations occurred during this period, but their nature and pattern are poorly understood due to dating limitations and unknown phase relationships between different regions and archives. Tephrochronology offers considerable potential for precise correlation of disparate palaeoclimatic archives preserving evidence of these rapid climatic transitions through the tracing of common isochronous tephra horizons. We outline the identification of three previously unknown cryptotephra horizons within a marine core from the Rockall Trough, North East Atlantic. This sequence preserves a high‐resolution record of this interval and shard size, geochemical heterogeneity and the co‐variance of shard concentrations with ice‐rafted debris data are utilized to demonstrate that primary airfall was the most likely transport and depositional pathway. The main geochemical populations of these horizons have similar transitional alkali major and trace element compositions, suggesting that they were derived from a common Icelandic source, potentially the Öræfajökull volcanic system. These tephra horizons represent additions to the North Atlantic event stratigraphy for this period and tentative correlations to Icelandic terrestrial deposits are proposed for two horizons.
High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the ν2 and ν3 bands of C2H4
Authors: Ballandras A. , Cirtog M. , Loroño M. A. , Bourgeois M.‐T. , Rotger M. , Bermejo D. , Martínez R. Z. , Doménech J. L. , Boudon V.
Published: June 2013

The high‐resolution stimulated Raman spectra of the ν2 and ν3 bands of C2H4 have been recorded and analyzed separately by means of the tensorial formalism developed in Dijon and Reims for X2Y4 asymmetric‐top molecules. For the ν2 band, a total of 191 lines were assigned and fitted. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 1.86 × 10− 3 cm− 1. For the ν3 band analyzed in interaction with the ν6 infrared band, a total of 185 lines were assigned and fitted. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 1.29 × 10− 3 cm− 1. Both analyses lead to very satisfactory synthetic spectra. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrochemical in situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic characterization of a trinuclear ruthenium complex, Ru‐red
Authors: Joya Khurram Saleem , de Groot Huub J. M.
Published: June 2013

To study the fate of a molecular di‐μ‐oxo‐bridged trinuclear ruthenium complex, [(NH3)5Ru–O–Ru(NH3)4–O–Ru(NH3)5]6+, also known as Ru‐red, during the electro‐driven water oxidation reaction, electrochemical in situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) investigations have been conducted on an electrochemically roughened gold surface in acidic condition. It was previously described that on a basal plane pyrolitic graphite electrode in 0.1 M H2SO4 aqueous solution, Ru‐red undergoes one electron oxidative conversion into a stable higher oxidation state ruthenium complex, Ru‐brown, at <1.0 V (vs normal hydrogen electrode (NHE)), and this leads to water oxidation and dioxygen release, but the fate of Ru‐red during electrochemistry was not studied in much detail. In this investigation, Ru‐red dispersed in acid electrolyte and immobilized on a roughened gold electrode without Ru‐red in solution has been subjected to anodic controlled potential experiments, and in situ SERS was carried out at various potentials in succession. The electrochemical SERS data obtained for Ru‐red are also compared with in situ SERS results of an electrodeposited ruthenium oxide thin film on the Au disk. Our study suggests that on a gold electrode in sulfuric acid solution containing Ru‐red, one electron oxidative conversion of Ru‐red to a higher oxidation state ruthenium compound, Ru‐brown, occurs at ca. 0.74 V (vs NHE), as supported by the electrochemical in situ SERS experiments. Moreover, at higher potentials and on Au disk, the Ru‐red / Ru‐brown are not stable and slowly decompose or electro‐oxidize leading to deactivation of the tri‐ruthenium catalytic system in acidic medium. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leaving the third dimension: no measurable evidence for cognitive aftereffects of stereoscopic 3D movies
Authors: Bombeke Klaas , Van Looy Jan , Szmalec Arnaud , Duyck Wouter
Published: June 2013

Stereoscopic 3D (S‐3D) is becoming an increasingly important display technology. Parallel to this, concern about the potential negative effects of exposure to S‐3D movies has been growing. Some manufacturers place disclaimers on their TVs advising people to limit the time they watch S‐3D. However, surprisingly little experimental research has been conducted estimating the genuineness of these concerns. Therefore, an experiment was designed to assess the potential impact of viewing an S‐3D movie on visual, spatial, and general attention performance. To mimic the real‐world experience of watching a movie in the living room, participants (N = 61) watched a full movie in either 2D or S‐3D. Our results do not show evidence for cognitive aftereffects of S‐3D movies. A second experiment (N = 32) that focused on possible aftereffects on visual attention also failed to find reliable effects. We therefore conclude that cognitive functioning is not altered by watching an S‐3D movie, at least not to an extent that is measurable through well‐established cognitive tasks.
Optically active Babinet planar metamaterial film for terahertz polarization manipulation
Authors: Zalkovskij Maksim , Malureanu Radu , Kremers Christian , Chigrin Dmitry N. , Novitsky Andey , Zhukovsky Sergei , Tang Peter T. , Jepsen Peter U. , Lavrinenko Andrei V.
Published: June 2013

A planar Babinet‐inverted dimer metamaterial possessing strong optical activity is proposed and characterized. An original fabrication method to produce large area (up to several cm2) freely suspended flexible metallic membranes is implemented to fabricate the metamaterial. Its optical properties are characterized by terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy, revealing anisotropic transmission with high optical activity. A simple coupled resonator model is applied to explain the principal optical features of the dimers, with predictive power of positions and number of resonances through a parametrical model. The model is validated for correct polarization‐dependent quantitative results on the optical activity in transmission spectra. The fabrication method presented in this work as well as the slit dimer design has great potential for exploitation in terahertz optics.
A new index for the verification of accuracy and timeliness of weather warnings
Authors: Wilson Laurence J. , Giles Andrew
Published: June 2013

A new scoring index is proposed for the verification of the Canadian weather warning program. Called weather warning index (WWI), the new measure is designed to be sensitive to two attributes of warnings, their timeliness and accuracy, and to summarize the verification information into a single value for a representative set of regions of Canada and for several weather elements for which warnings are issued. Given the opposing nature of the two attributes (long lead times are likely to be associated with lower accuracy), it was necessary to carefully balance the score to keep it proper in a general sense. The design decisions for the WWI are presented and discussed, and the score computation is illustrated with sensitivity experiments using 3 years of warning forecasts and observations. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
An assessment of the SEEPS and SEDI metrics for the verification of 6 h forecast precipitation accumulations
Authors: North Rachel , Trueman Matthew , Mittermaier Marion , Rodwell Mark J.
Published: June 2013

An evaluation of the performance of the Stable Equitable Error in Probability Space (SEEPS) and the Symmetric Extremal Dependence Index (SEDI) as monitoring metrics for 6 h precipitation forecasts from regional NWP is presented. These scores provide complementary assessments of forecast performance. SEEPS quantifies general performance in the prediction of dry weather and precipitation amount. SEDI focuses on higher threshold events. By using the climatological distribution of precipitation at each location to define thresholds, both scores assess the locally important aspects of the forecast. Both scores can also be aggregated over climatologically diverse regions to obtain an area‐mean performance measure. From the perspective of forecast system development, an important aspect of both scores is their resistance to hedging. Each score is calculated for forecasts coming from two model systems, one a 12 km regional configuration of the Met Office Unified Model (MetUM), the other is the independent European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global model; here interpolated to a 25 km grid. Results suggest that SEEPS can be meaningfully applied to 6 h accumulations. Diurnal variations in SEEPS highlight timing errors in the development of convection. A decomposition in the contributions to SEEPS highlights the over‐prediction of drizzle near midday, and difficulties to predict convection during the evening. SEDI results suggest that performance trends in 90% percentile events are detectable over a 3 year period. However, results do suggest that higher model resolution improves the skill and frequency bias for higher percentile events. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society and British Crown copyright, the Met Office
Travelling waves of a predator–prey model with a spatiotemporal delay
Authors: Gan Qintao
Published: June 2013

This paper is concerned with the existence of traveling waves to a predator–prey model with a spatiotemporal delay. By analyzing the corresponding characteristic equations, the local stability of a positive steady state and each of boundary steady states are established, and the existence of Hopf bifurcation at the positive steady state is also discussed. By constructing a pair of upper–lower solutions and by using the cross‐iteration method as well as the Schauder's fixed‐point theorem, the existence of a traveling wave solution connecting the semi‐trivial steady state and the positive steady state is proved. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main theoretical results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CFL condition, Boltzmann's H‐theorem, Onsager reciprocal relations and beyond
Authors: Yong Wen‐An
Published: June 2013

In this article, we show that the classical CFL condition from numerical analysis, Boltzmann's H‐theorem from kinetic theory and Onsager reciprocal relations from nonequilibrium thermodynamics are all related to some structural stability conditions for nonhomogeneous systems of first‐order partial differential equations. By doing this, we briefly review our previous works on first‐order partial differential equations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Favorable effect of moderate dose caffeine on the skeletal system in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Folwarczna Joanna , Pytlik Maria , Zych Maria , Cegieła Urszula , Kaczmarczyk‐Sedlak Ilona , Nowińska Barbara , Śliwiński Leszek
Published: June 2013

Scope

Caffeine, a methylxanthine present in coffee, has been postulated to be responsible for an increased risk of osteoporosis in coffee drinkers; however, the data are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a moderate dose of caffeine on the skeletal system of rats with normal and decreased estrogen level (developing osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency).

Methods and results

The experiments were carried out on mature nonovariectomized and ovariectomized Wistar rats, divided into control rats and rats receiving caffeine once daily, 20 mg/kg p.o., for 4 wk. Serum bone turnover markers, bone mass, mass of bone mineral, calcium and phosphorus content, histomorphometric parameters, and bone mechanical properties were examined. Caffeine favorably affected the skeletal system of ovariectomized rats, slightly inhibiting the development of bone changes induced by estrogen deficiency (increasing bone mineralization, and improving the strength and structure of cancellous bone). Moreover, it favorably affected mechanical properties of compact bone. There were no significant effects of caffeine in rats with normal estrogen levels.

Conclusion

In conclusion, results of the present study indicate that low‐to‐moderate caffeine intake may exert some beneficial effects on the skeletal system of mature organisms.
Recent advances in the structure elucidation of small organic molecules by the LSD software
Authors: Plainchont Bertrand , de Paulo Emerenciano Vicente , Nuzillard Jean‐Marc
Published: June 2013

The LSD software proposes the structures of small organic molecules that fit with structural constraints from 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Its initial design introduced limits that needed to be eliminated to extend its scope and help its users choose the most likely structure among those proposed. The LSD software code has been improved, so that it recognizes a wider set of atom types to build molecules. More flexibility has been given in the interpretation of 2D NMR data, including the automatic detection of very long‐range correlations. A program named pyLSD was written to deal with problems in which atom types are ambiguously defined. It also provides a 13C NMR chemical shift‐based solution ranking algorithm. PyLSD was able to propose the correct structure of hexacyclinol, a natural product whose structure determination has been highly controversal. The solution was ranked first within a list of ten structures that were produced by pyLSD from the literature NMR data. The structure of an aporphin natural product was determined by pyLSD, taking advantage of the possibility of handling electrically charged atoms. The structure generation of the insect antifeedant azadirachtin by LSD was reinvestigated by pyLSD, considering that three 13C resonances did not lead to univocal hybridization states. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intersubject local SAR variation for 7T prostate MR imaging with an eight‐channel single‐side adapted dipole antenna array
Authors: Ipek Özlem , Raaijmakers Alexander J. , Lagendijk Jan J. , Luijten Peter R. , van den Berg Cornelis A. T.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Surface transmit arrays used in ultra‐high field body MRI require local specific absorption rate (SAR) assessment. As local SAR cannot be measured directly, local SAR is determined by simulations using dielectric patient models. In this study, the inter‐patient local SAR variation is investigated for 7T prostate imaging with the single‐side adapted dipole antenna array.

Method

Four‐dedicated dielectric models were created by segmenting Dixon water–fat separated images that were obtained from four subjects with a 1.5T scanner and the surface array in place. Electromagnetic simulations were performed to calculate the SAR distribution for each model. Radio frequency (RF) exposure variations were determined by analyzing the SAR10gdistributions (1) with one element active, (2) using a Q‐matrix eigenvalue/eigenvector approach, (3) with the maximum potential SAR in each voxel, and (4) for a phase shimmed prostate measurement.

Results

Maximum potential local SAR levels for 1 W time‐averaged accepted power per transmit channel range from 4.1 to 7.1 W/kg.

Conclusion

These variations show that one model is not sufficient to determine safe scan settings. For the operation of the surface array conservative power settings were derived based on a worst‐case SAR evaluation and the most SAR‐sensitive body model.Magn Reson Med 71:1559–1567, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermoelectric properties of single walled carbon nanotube networks in polycarbonate matrix
Authors: Piao Mingxing , Kim Gyutae , Kennedy Gary P. , Roth Siegmar , Dettlaff‐Weglikowska Urszula
Published: June 2013

We report on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) used as a filler material for polycarbonate (PC) composites in this paper. Thin flexible composite films were prepared by solvent casting with a viscous dispersion of SWCNTs in a polymer matrix. The interaction of SWCNTs with PC was studied by Raman spectroscopy. Our investigations focus on the electrical conductivity and thermopower of the carbon nanotube network formed within the matrix. In this paper, we demonstrate that the incorporation of carbon nanotubes in the polymer composite profoundly modifies the electrical properties of the polymer composite in proportion with the SWCNT concentration. Although, the electrical conductivity of the composite increases by 16 orders of magnitude upon adding 1 wt% of SWCNTs, the Seebeck coefficient, which characterizes the thermoelectric properties, appears to be dominated by the type of polymer matrix and decreased slightly throughout the tested filler loading. A reasonable Seebeck coefficient of 65 µV K−1 was determined for these SWCNT composite films and, thus, suggests that thermoelectric power generation would be a good application for them. We also demonstrated that both the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient of SWCNTs embedded in a polymer can be efficiently modified by means of chemical treatments. In this way, flexible composite films exhibiting positive and negative Seebeck coefficients were fabricated. Assembling these films into a sandwich structure with alternating p/n junctions should produce a higher potential difference when a temperature gradient is applied across a multilayer thermoelectric device.
Mixture randomized item‐response modeling: a smoking behavior validation study
Authors: Fox J.‐P. , Avetisyan M. , van der Palen J.
Published: June 2013

Misleading response behavior is expected in medical settings where incriminating behavior is negatively related to the recovery from a disease. In the present study, lung patients feel social and professional pressure concerning smoking and experience questions about smoking behavior as sensitive and tend to conceal embarrassing or threatening information. The randomized item‐response survey method is expected to improve the accuracy of self‐reports as individual item responses are masked and only randomized item responses are observed.

We explored the validation of the randomized item‐response technique in a unique experimental study. Therefore, we administered a new multi‐item measure assessing smoking behavior by using a treatment–control design (randomized response (RR) or direct questioning). After the questionnaire, we administered a breath test by using a carbon monoxide (CO) monitor to determine the smoking status of the patient. We used the response data to measure the individual smoking behavior by using a mixture item‐response model. It is shown that the detected smokers scored significantly higher in the RR condition compared with the directly questioned condition. We proposed a Bayesian latent variable framework to evaluate the diagnostic test accuracy of the questionnaire using the randomized‐response technique, which is based on the posterior densities of the subject's smoking behavior scores together with the breath test measurements. For different diagnostic test thresholds, we obtained moderate posterior mean estimates of sensitivity and specificity by observing a limited number of discrete randomized item responses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complementary assets as pipes and prisms: Innovation incentives and trajectory choices
Authors: Wu Brian , Wan Zhixi , Levinthal Daniel A.
Published: June 2013

The issue of the failure of incumbent firms in the face of radical technical change has been a central question in the technology strategy domain for some time. We add to prior contributions by highlighting the role a firm's existing set of complementary assets have in influencing its investment in alternative technological trajectories. We develop an analytical model that considers firm heterogeneity with respect to both technological trajectories and complementary assets. Complementary assets play a dual role in incumbents' investment behavior toward radical technological change: they are not only resources (pipes) that can buffer firms from technology change, but also prisms through which firms view those changes, influencing both the magnitude of resources that should be invested and the trajectory to which these resources should be directed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Switchable Transport Strategy to Deposit Active Fe/Fe3C Cores into Hollow Microporous Carbons for Efficient Chromium Removal
Authors: Liu Dong‐Hai , Guo Yue , Zhang Lu‐Hua , Li Wen‐Cui , Sun Tao , Lu An‐Hui
Published: June 2013

Magnetic hollow structures with microporous shell and highly dispersed active cores (Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles) are rationally designed and fabricated by solution‐phase switchable transport of active iron species combined with a solid‐state thermolysis technique, thus allowing selective encapsulation of functional Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles in the interior cavity. These engineered functional materials show high loading (≈54 wt%) of Fe, excellent chromium removal capability (100 mg g−1), fast adsorption rate (8766 mL mg−1 h−1), and easy magnetic separation property (63.25 emu g−1). During the adsorption process, the internal highly dispersed Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles supply a driving force for facilitating CrVI diffusion inward, thus improving the adsorption rate and the adsorption capacity. At the same time, the external microporous carbon shell can also efficiently trap guest CrVI ions and protect Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles from corrosion and subsequent leaching problems.
Contemplative Science: An Insider Prospectus
Authors: Britton Willoughby B. , Brown Anne‐Catharine , Kaplan Christopher T. , Goldman Roberta E. , DeLuca Marie , Rojiani Rahil , Reis Harry , Xi Mandy , Chou Jonathan C. , McKenna Faye , Hitchcock Peter , Rocha Tomas A. , Himmelfarb Josh , Margolis David M. , Niles Halsey F. , Eckert Allison M. , Frank Tana
Published: June 2013

This chapter describes the potential far‐reaching consequences of contemplative higher education for the fields of science and medicine.
Birthing Internal Images: Employing the Cajita Project as a Contemplative Activity in a College Classroom
Authors: Kanagala Vijay , Rendón Laura I.
Published: June 2013

This chapter addresses the growing interest in employing contemplative teaching and learning practices in college classrooms. The authors introduce the cajita project, a contemplative activity, which they have employed in their classrooms to help students become reflective, socially conscious scholar–practitioners in student affairs.
The Formation and Development of the Mindful Campus
Authors: DuFon Margaret A. , Christian Jennifer
Published: June 2013

This chapter recounts the development of faculty and student groups whose purposes are to promote mindfulness and contemplative pedagogy on the California State University–Chico campus through work both on the campus and in the greater Chico community.
Koru: Teaching Mindfulness to Emerging Adults
Authors: Rogers Holly B.
Published: June 2013

Although there is much interest in teaching mindfulness to college students and other emerging adults, traditional methods of teaching mindfulness and meditation are not always effective for reaching this age group. Koru is a program, developed at Duke University, that has been specifically designed with the developmental characteristics of emerging adults in mind.
Contemplative Pedagogy: A Quiet Revolution in Higher Education
Authors: Zajonc Arthur
Published: June 2013

Around the world a quiet revolution is unfolding in teaching and learning through the introduction of contemplative practices in higher education. Several practices are described and their value assessed.
Endometrial scratching performed in the non‐transfer cycle and outcome of assisted reproduction: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nastri C. O. , Ferriani R. A. , Raine‐Fenning N. , Martins W. P.
Published: June 2013

Objectives

To investigate the effect of endometrial scratching, performed during oral contraceptive pill (OCP) pretreatment, on reproductive outcome and on ultrasound markers of endometrial receptivity, and to assess the pain involved in the procedure, in unselected women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART).

Methods

Women undergoing ART were randomly allocated to undergo either endometrial scratching with a pipelle de Cornier or a sham procedure, 7–14 days before starting controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). We evaluated subsequent rates of clinical pregnancy, live birth, implantation, miscarriage and multiple pregnancy. Pain during the procedure was evaluated using a 10‐cm visual analog scale. Endometrial thickness and volume and three‐dimensional power Doppler (3D‐PD) indices (vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI)) were assessed during COS when there was at least one follicle ≥ 17 mm in diameter.

Results

We included 158 women. Endometrial scratching was associated with higher rates of live birth (41.8% vs 22.8%, P = 0.01) and clinical pregnancy (49.4% vs 29.1%, P = 0.01) and higher pain score (6.42 ± 2.35 cm vs 1.82 ± 1.52 cm, P < 0.001), endometrial VI (3.71 ± 1.77 vs 2.95 ± 1.56, P < 0.01) and VFI (0.97 ± 0.51 vs 0.76 ± 0.40, P < 0.01). There was no significant effect of endometrial scratching on rate of miscarriage (15.4% vs 21.7%, P = 0.53) or multiple pregnancy (22.5% vs 25.0%, P = 0.79), or on endometrial thickness (10.12 ± 1.55 mm vs 9.98 ± 1.62 mm, P = 0.59), endometrial volume (6.18 ± 1.63 cm3 vs 6.01 ± 1.48 cm3, P = 0.51) or FI (26.12 ± 2.82 vs 25.91 ± 2.72, P = 0.65).

Conclusions

Endometrial scratching performed once, during OCP pretreatment 7–14 days before starting COS, increases the chance of live birth and clinical pregnancy, but might cause considerable pain. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Community‐based adaptation: a review of past and future challenges
Authors: Forsyth Tim
Published: June 2013

Community‐based adaptation (CBA) is a form of adaptation that aims to reduce the risks of climate change to the world's poorest people by involving them in the practices and planning of adaptation. It adds to current approaches to adaptation by emphasizing the social, political, and economic drivers of vulnerability, and by highlighting the needs of vulnerable people. Critics, however, ask how lessons from local adaptive responses can be ‘upscaled’ to wider spatial scales and risks; whether CBA can represent local people fairly; and if successful CBA can be assessed. This article summarizes these debates, and uses these questions to present a framework for advancing CBA more fully within formal policy processes. The article argues that CBA should not be seen as an overly localist approach to risk assessment, but instead forms part of a trend of linking international development and climate change policies. This trend seeks to explain the risks posed by climate change more holistically within development contexts, and aims to increase the range and usefulness of adaptation options. WIREs Clim Change 2013, 4:439–446. doi: 10.1002/wcc.231

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation
Climate science, Russian politics, and the framing of climate change
Authors: Wilson Rowe Elana
Published: June 2013

Historical studies have shown how Soviet scientists figured in politics in unexpected ways. However, little research has been done on the interplay between scientific expert knowledge and contemporary Russian policymaking. This article reviews existing research on a question central to understanding Russia's positions on climate change: What is the relationship between expert knowledge and politics in Russia today? We first address the narratives and practices that have emerged around environmental problems and the science–policy interface in Russia and the Soviet Union more generally and then provide a brief overview of Russia's international and domestic climate politics. How climate change has been framed in the Russian media and the role that scientists have played in these framings and in the Russian policymaking process more generally is then examined. Conceptually, this review draws upon scholarly work in Science and Technology Studies and international relations on the politics of scientific reception. WIREs Clim Change 2013, 4:457–465. doi: 10.1002/wcc.235

This article is categorized under:

Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Climate Science and Decision Making
Adaptive precoding and power allocation in distributed antenna systems with limited feedback
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Lei Lei
Published: June 2013

This paper introduces the limited feedback precoding into the distributed antenna system and proposes to adapt the predetermined orthogonal space time block codes to the available channel state information at the transmitter. The optimal representation of precoding information, namely the precoder, with least bits therefore becomes the key problem. Inspired by the characteristics of the distributed antenna system, we focus our work on the precoder construction, adaptable in response to the large and small scale fading, such that the symbol error probability is significantly reduced over that of a fixed, non‐adaptive, independent and identically distributed precoder codebook design. Furthermore, a suboptimal power‐loading strategy is presented by minimizing the derived tight upper bound on the average pairwise error probability of the precoded orthogonal space time block codes, which approaches the optimal performance asymptotically without additional channel knowledge other than the available feedback information. We prove that the proposed precoded orthogonal space time transmission scheme can achieve full diversity order. In particular, the robustness of our proposed transmission scheme to channel estimation error and feedback delay is respectively investigated in some detail, and numerical results show that it obviously improves the link reliability and obtains substantial gains even with few bits of feedback in comparison with conventional antenna selection scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of bushfires on water yield from south‐east Australia's ash forests
Authors: Brookhouse Matthew T. , Farquhar Graham D. , Roderick Michael L.
Published: June 2013

Widespread disturbance within forested catchments typically increases runoff. However, following widespread fire in 1939 throughout south‐east Australia, Kuczera (1987) reported persistent reductions in runoff that were attributed to increased evapotranspiration from regenerating “ash” forests. Kuczera projected ongoing reductions of water yield for ∼150 years. In 2003, widespread fire in the headwaters of the Murray‐Darling Basin (MDB) again stimulated extensive regeneration of ash forests, raising the prospect of subsequent water yield reductions. To understand the potential impact of the 2003 bushfires, we re‐evaluated yield reductions from three of the catchments originally studied by Kuczera using the same calibration period. We also used an expanded prefire calibration period (1908–1938) based on data not originally available to Kuczera. The trend of postfire water yield that we observed in 1939‐affected catchments is qualitatively consistent with Kuczera's projections, but the quantitative details were, as expected, sensitive to the prefire calibration period used. We then used a simplified method to examine a further five ash‐dominated catchments affected by the 2003 fires. We report relative reductions in mean annual stream flow in all five catchments and a statistically significant (α = 0.05) postfire reduction in one of five catchments. Postfire yield reductions during the austral summer (October to April) were greater in relative magnitude in all five catchments and were statistically significant (α = 0.05) in three of five catchments. We conclude that a postbushfire Kuczera‐type response may be widespread in regenerating ash forests. On that basis, we anticipate postfire yield reductions in ash forests elsewhere and conclude that further reductions in stream flow are likely in the MDB for at least another decade.
Structure and function of the T‐loop structural motif in noncoding RNAs
Authors: Chan Clarence W. , Chetnani Bhaskar , Mondragón Alfonso
Published: June 2013

The T‐loop is a frequently occurring five‐nucleotide motif found in the structure of noncoding RNAs where it is commonly assumed to play an important role in stabilizing the tertiary RNA structure by facilitating long‐range interactions between different regions of the molecule. T‐loops were first identified in tRNAPhe and a formal consensus sequence for this motif was formulated and later revised based on analyses of the crystal structures of prokaryotic ribosomal RNAs and RNase P and the corresponding primary sequence of their orthologues. In the past decade, several new structures of large RNA molecules have been added to the RCSB Protein Data Bank, including the eukaryotic ribosome, a self‐splicing group II intron, numerous synthetases in complex with their cognate transfer RNAs (tRNAs), transfer‐messenger RNA (tmRNA) in complex with SmpB, several riboswitches, and a complex of bacterial RNase P bound to its tRNA substrate. In this review, the search for T‐loops is extended to these new RNA molecules based on the previously established structure‐based criteria. The review highlights and discusses the function and additional roles of T‐loops in four broad categories of RNA molecules, namely tRNAs, ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), P RNAs, and RNA genetic elements. Additionally, the potential application for T‐loops as interaction modules is also discussed. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:507–522. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1175

This article is categorized under:

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry
Identification of Cyclopropaneoctanoic Acid 2‐Hexyl in Human Adipose Tissue and Serum
Authors: Sledzinski Tomasz , Mika Adriana , Stepnowski Piotr , Proczko‐Markuszewska Monika , Kaska Lukasz , Stefaniak Tomasz , Swierczynski Julian
Published: June 2013

Fatty acids containing a cyclopropane ring in their structure (cyclopropane FA) have been found in a wide variety of bacteria, a number of protozoa, and Myriapoda. Little is known about cyclopropane FA in mammal, especially in human tissues. The present study deals with the identification of cyclopropane FA in adipose tissue and serum of humans and rats. Fatty acids extracted from the adipose tissue and serum obtained from obese women during bariatric surgery were methylated and analyzed on GC–MS. We have identified: cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl, cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐octyl, cyclopropanenonanoic acid, and 2‐[[2‐[(2‐ethylcyclopropyl)methyl]cyclopropyl]methyl] acid in human adipose tissue. We confirmed the presence of cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl by derivatization of FA extracted from human adipose tissue to picolinyl esters. Cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl was the main cyclopropane FA (approximately 0.4 % of total fatty acids in human adipose tissue, and about 0.2 % of total fatty acids in the serum). In adipose tissue cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl was found mainly in triacylglycerols, whereas in serum in phospholipids and triacylglycerols. The cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl has also been found in serum, and adipose tissue of rats in amounts comparable to humans. The content of cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl decreased in adipose tissue of rats maintained on a restricted diet for 1 month. In conclusion, we demonstrated that cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl is present in human adipose tissue and serum. Adipose tissue cyclopropaneoctanoic acid 2‐hexyl is stored mainly in triacylglycerols and the storage of this cyclopropane FA is affected by food restriction.
Incidence of thyroid cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2000–2010
Authors: Hussain Fazal , Iqbal Samra , Mehmood Asif , Bazarbashi Shouki , ElHassan Tusneem , Chaudhri Naeem
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND:

Thyroid cancer is the second most common malignancy among females at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) and in Saudi Arabia, accounting for about 11% of all newly diagnosed female cancers in the country in 2008. Over the past several decades, an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There are no comprehensive clinical epidemiological data for the trends of thyroid cancer incidence compared to the global incidence. This report reviews the thyroid cancer incidence in KFSH&RC and compares that with Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, North America and globally from 2000 to 2010.

METHODS:

Retrospective review of patients with thyroid cancer was carried out from 2000 to 2010, using the hospital Tumor Registry program as per the American College of Surgeons standards. Trends and patterns of all well-known prognostic factors were sub-stratified by age, stage and grade.

RESULTS:

A total of 2292 patients with thyroid cancer were treated at KFSH&RC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2000 to 2010. Thyroid cancer constitutes about 9% of all malignancies and 12% of all female malignancies at KFSH&RC, which are significantly higher compared to the USA, where thyroid cancer represents only 2.9% of all malignancies and 4.6% of all female malignancies. Papillary adenocarcinoma was the most common histological subtype followed by papillary carcinoma, follicular variant. Median age at diagnosis was 40 for females and 44 years for males. Overall Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASR) was 4.4/100,000 (6.8 for female and 2/100,000 for males) in the Kingdom in 2008. Median age at diagnosis was 38 years and the highest incidence was in the 30–39 year age group in KFSH&RC. About 48% of patients presented in the localized stage and 60% underwent combined modality treatment consisting of surgery, radiation and hormonal therapy. There was significantly increased incidence among females as compared to males. The age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence rates from 2000 to 2010 varied three-fold more for females than for males. Considerable geographical variations were present in thyroid cancer incidence in Saudi Arabia.

CONCLUSION:

Thyroid cancer incidence rates have increased exponentially between 2000 and 2010 and there is significant geographical variation in the incidence of thyroid cancer throughout the Kingdom. Thyroid cancer has become the second most common cancer among young Saudi women with a male to female ratio at 0.3:1. Rising incidence of thyroid cancer in Saudi Arabia may be due to the increased detection and diagnosis of the thyroid cancers and not only an increase in the true occurrence of thyroid cancer. More studies are required to determine this significant difference at the molecular level.