bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks composed of diisocyanate‐bridged 4‐arm star‐shaped l‐lactide oligomers and poly(ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Takase Hayato , Shibita Ayaka , Shibata Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2014

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) were prepared by reactions of 2,4‐tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) and hydroxy‐terminated 4‐arm star‐shaped l‐lactide oligomers (H4LAOn's) with the degrees of polymerization of lactate unit per one arm, n = 3, 5, and 10 in the presence of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL). Morphologies, thermal, and mechanical properties of the TDI‐bridged H4LAOn (TH4LAOn)/PCL semi‐IPNs were evaluated by comparing with those of poly(l‐lactide) (PLA)/PCL blends. Compatibility between the two components of the TH4LAOn/PCL semi‐IPN with a PCL content not more than 50 wt % was much better than those of the PLA/PCL blends with the same PCL content. All the TH4LAOn networks were substantially amorphous and their tan δ peak or glass transition temperatures increased with decreasing n value. Most of the semi‐IPNs did not show clear glass transition temperature related to both the components. Tensile toughness and elongation at break for all the TH4LAOn/PCL semi‐IPNs were much higher than those for the PLA/PCL blends with the same PCL content. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1420–1428
Growth of adlayers studied by fluorination of isotopically engineered graphene
Authors: Weis Johan Ek , Costa Sara D. , Frank Otakar , Kalbac Martin
Published: September 2014

Chemical vapor deposition on copper is currently one of the most prospective preparation techniques of large area graphene films. There are still many undisclosed questions regarding the growth process and its conditions. The adlayer formation belongs to those, not only because of the need of uniform monolayers, but also due to the increasing demand for high‐coverage bilayers. The combination of Raman spectroscopy, isotopic labeling and functionalization using fluorine can provide the necessary insight into the CVD growth process. The disorder degree caused by the fluorination is unambiguously distinguished by Raman mapping and evaluation of more than 1000 spectra for the individual layers, suggesting the shielding of the 13C adlayer underneath the continuous 12C top layer. High resolution Raman map of the D/G peak intensity ratio of the 12C component in the 13C/12C region of the studied isotopically labeled bilayer graphene and a scheme depicting the adlayer growth at the bottom.
Kinetic arrest and exchange bias in Ni–Mn–Ga
Authors: Çakır Aslı , Acet Mehmet , Farle Michael
Published: September 2014

Ni–Mn–Ga Heusler alloys are particularly interesting for their magnetic shape‐memory properties. However, more recently, the observation of magnetic glass‐like behavior in these alloys, particularly at low Ga concentrations, has extended the interest in the properties of these alloys. We have investigated the thermomagnetic properties of the NiMnGa Heusler alloy with . In this alloy with relatively low Ga concentration, we find kinetic arrest and exchange‐bias effects occurring concurrently. We show that these effects are related to the presence of mixed ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions and that the two components are magnetically phase‐separated.
Island precipitation enhancement and the diurnal cycle in radiative‐convective equilibrium
Authors: Cronin Timothy W. , Emanuel Kerry A. , Molnar Peter
Published: September 2014

To understand why tropical islands are rainier than nearby ocean areas, we explore how a highly idealized island, which differs from the surrounding ocean only in heat capacity, might respond to the diurnal cycle and influence the tropical climate, especially the spatial distribution of rainfall and the thermal structure of the troposphere. We perform simulations of three‐dimensional radiative‐convective equilibrium with the System for Atmospheric Modeling (SAM) cloud‐system‐resolving model, with interactive surface temperature, where a highly idealized, low heat capacity circular island is embedded in a slab‐ocean domain. The calculated precipitation rate over the island can be more than double the domain average value, with island rainfall occurring primarily in an intense, regular thunderstorm system that forms in the afternoon to early evening each day. Island size affects the magnitude of simulated island rainfall enhancement, the intensity of the convection, and the timing of the rainfall maximum relative to solar noon. A combination of dynamic and thermodynamic mechanisms leads to a monotonic enhancement of domain‐averaged tropospheric temperature with increasing fraction of island surface, which may contribute to localization of ascent over the Maritime Continent and its relationship to the Walker Circulation.
Parallel modular steganography using error images
Authors: Afrakhteh Masoud , Lee Jeong‐A
Published: September 2014

The embedding process for most of the state‐of‐the‐art adaptive steganographic methods (not easily detectable) such as highly undetectable steganography (HUGO), edge adaptive image steganography (EA), and Adaptive ±1 Steganography in Extended Noisy Regions, is contingent upon the neighboring pixel values to prevent discovery by steganalysis methods. Hence, the calculation of the possible embedding rate must be suspended until the embedding process is performed pixel by pixel, in sequence. If, however, the cover image is JPEG‐compressed, an error image can be considered as an embedding map implying where and to what extent secret bits can be embedded. In this paper, we present a modular steganography using error images. It is demonstrated that the detectability level of the resulting stego images is lower than that of state‐of‐the‐art schemes and the proposed method executes 2.32 times faster than HUGO. Further, to improve the time performance, a block‐wise parallel algorithm is presented where a single thread is assigned to each block of pixels. Because of the independent behavior of the embedding method and unlike the other methods, it is proved that each block of pixels can be embedded independently. The effectiveness of this parallel approach is analyzed and verified to execute approximately 55 times faster than serial execution. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feature engineering for detection of Denial of Service attacks in session initiation protocol
Authors: Asgharian Hassan , Akbari Ahmad , Raahemi Bijan
Published: September 2014

The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a text‐based protocol, which defines the messaging between the SIP entities to establish, maintain, and terminate a multimedia session. Because of the text‐ and transaction‐based nature of the SIP protocol, it encounters various types of malformed message and resource depletion attacks. In this paper, we study the security concerns of the SIP‐based systems, and propose a feature set for it. Engineered features are derived from the SIP header fields in real time detecting the deviation of the input traffic from normal state. These features are built at three levels: packet, transaction, and dialog. The designed features can accurately detect the SIP known attacks. Moreover, because we successfully model the state machine of SIP during its normal behavior, we can also identify the unknown attacks. To study the effectiveness of the engineered feature set, we employ them in a sample one‐class support vector machine classifier. We evaluate the engineered features on three different datasets with various types of attack scenarios including resource depletion and authentication and brute force attacks. The impact of these attack scenarios on the designed features are shown in different test cases to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed feature set. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What to expect from net reclassification improvement with three categories
Authors: Pencina Karol M. , Pencina Michael J. , D'Agostino Ralph B.
Published: September 2014

The net reclassification improvement (NRI) has become a popular measure of incremental usefulness of markers added to risk prediction models. However, the expected magnitude of the three‐category NRI is not well understood, leading researchers to rely on statistical significance. In this paper, we describe a slight modification to the original definition of the NRI, which weighs each reclassification by the number of categories by which a given individual is reclassified. This modification resolves some recent criticisms of the three‐category NRI and at the same time has a minimal impact on its magnitude. Then we show that using this modified definition, the event and nonevent NRIs have simple interpretations as sums of changes in sensitivities and specificities calculated at the risk thresholds. We exploit this relationship to arrive at closed‐form solutions for the NRI under normality within the event and nonevent subgroups. We observe that the size of the intermediate risk category and the event rate have limited impact on the magnitude of the NRI. As expected, the NRI increases with the strength of the added marker, and this relationship appears fairly proportional for markers with non‐weak net effect size (above 0.25). Furthermore, we conclude that using the NRI as a metric, it is harder to improve models that already perform well. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Institutionalism and the Influence of the Cultural Values of the Family Subsystem on the Management of the Small–Medium Family Firms
Authors: Vallejo‐Martos Manuel Carlos
Published: September 2014

The current work advances and tests an explanation for the flow of values in small–medium family firms from the owning family subsystem to the management. This is an aspect that has so often been mentioned but so rarely been analysed empirically. Our objective has been accomplished using as explanatory theoretical framework the main arguments of systems theory and institutionalism, starting from the consideration of the family as one of the agents with most influence in the institutional environment of the family firm. Specifically, we have empirically demonstrated significant differences in seven out of 10 values considered determinants of family strength, thereby demonstrating the ultimate responsibility of the owning families in the higher intensity of certain values in family firms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erwärmungsverhalten dämmschichtbildender Brandschutzsysteme im Stahlbau
Authors: Schaumann Peter , Tabeling Florian , Weisheim Waldemar
Published: September 2014

Dämmschichtbildende Brandschutzsysteme ermöglichen es, die Attraktivität filigraner Stahltragwerke bei gleichzeitiger Gewährleistung der Feuerwiderstandsfähigkeit aufrecht zu erhalten. Das Hochtemperaturverhalten dieser Brandschutzsysteme ist bis heute jedoch nicht im Detail bekannt. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden daher numerische Simulationen unter expliziter Berücksichtigung des Aufschäumvorgangs dämmschichtbildender Brandschutzsysteme vorgestellt, um das Erwärmungsverhalten im Detail aufzuzeigen und somit einen Beitrag zum vertieften Verständnis hinsichtlich der thermischen Schutzwirkung dieser Brandschutzsysteme zu leisten. Dabei werden beschichtete Stahlplatten bei einer Ofentemperatur gemäß der Einheits‐Temperaturzeitkurve untersucht. Eine Validierung des entwickelten numerischen Modells erfolgt anhand eigener Versuchsergebnisse. Somit wird erstmals die Möglichkeit eröffnet, das Hochtemperaturverhalten beschichteter Stahlbauteile realitätsnah zu simulieren und die Temperaturentwicklung im Stahl zu prognostizieren. Dies schafft insbesondere bei individuellen Fragestellungen im Brandschutzingenieurwesen hinsichtlich der Temperaturentwicklung in beschichteten Stahlbauteilen innovative Bewertungsmöglichkeiten.

Heating behaviour of intumescent coatings in steel constructions – Advanced numerical simulations taking the foaming process into account. Intumescent coatings enable to sustain the attractiveness of filigree steel constructions and to ensure fire resistance at the same time. Since the high temperature behaviour of these fire protection systems is not known in detail yet, advanced numerical simulations by taking the foaming process of intumescent coatings into account are introduced in the present article. Hence, the heating behaviour is pointed out in detail to get a deeper understanding concerning the fire protection behaviour of intumescent coatings. For that reason, coated steel plates exposed to standard fire (ISO‐834) are investigated. A validation of the developed numerical model is performed by comparing the calculated temperatures with own test results. For the first time, the opportunity is enabled to simulate and predict the high temperature behaviour of coated steel elements close to reality. This offers innovative possibilities to evaluate the steel temperature of construction elements individually in fire protection engineering.
Rezensionen: Stahlbau 9/2014
Authors: Holzer Stefan M.
Published: September 2014

L’architrave, le plancher, la plate‐forme. Nouvelle histoire de la construction. Von R. Gargiani

Concrete. From archeology to invention 1700–1769. The renaissance of Pozzolana and Roman construction techniques. Von R. Gargiani
Conversion of Human Fibroblasts Into Monocyte-Like Progenitor Cells
Authors: Pulecio Julian , Nivet Emmanuel , Sancho-Martinez Ignacio , Vitaloni Marianna , Guenechea Guillermo , Xia Yun , Kurian Leo , Dubova Ilir , Bueren Juan , Laricchia-Robbio Leopoldo , Belmonte Juan Carlos Izpisua
Published: August 2014

Reprogramming technologies have emerged as a promising approach for future regenerative medicine. Here, we report on the establishment of a novel methodology allowing for the conversion of human fibroblasts into hematopoietic progenitor-like cells with macrophage differentiation potential. SOX2 overexpression in human fibroblasts, a gene found to be upregulated during hematopoietic reconstitution in mice, induced the rapid appearance of CD34+ cells with a concomitant upregulation of mesoderm-related markers. Profiling of cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cell populations identified miR-125b as a factor facilitating commitment of SOX2-generated CD34+ cells to immature hematopoietic-like progenitor cells with grafting potential. Further differentiation toward the monocytic lineage resulted in the appearance of CD14+ cells with functional phagocytic capacity. In vivo transplantation of SOX2/miR-125b-generated CD34+ cells facilitated the maturation of the engrafted cells toward CD45+ cells and ultimately the monocytic/macrophage lineage. Altogether, our results indicate that strategies combining lineage conversion and further lineage specification by in vivo or in vitro approaches could help to circumvent long-standing obstacles for the reprogramming of human cells into hematopoietic cells with clinical potential. Stem Cells  2014;32:2923–2938
Facial markers in second‐ and third‐trimester fetuses with trisomy 18 or 13, triploidy or Turner syndrome
Authors: Kagan K. O. , Sonek J. , Berg X. , Berg C. , Mallmann M. , Abele H. , Hoopmann M. , Geipel A.
Published: September 2014

Objective

To examine the effectiveness of nasal bone (NB) evaluation (including NB length (NBL)), prenasal thickness (PT) measurement, the PT:NBL ratio and the prefrontal space ratio (PFSR) in the identification of fetuses with trisomy 18 or 13, triploidy or Turner syndrome.

Methods

This was a retrospective study using stored midsagittal two‐dimensional images of the facial profile of fetuses with trisomy 18 or 13, triploidy or Turner syndrome in the second and third trimesters. For images of acceptable quality, measurements were obtained of NBL (where NB was present), PT, the PT:NBL ratio and PFSR, and these measurements were compared with previously published normal ranges.

Results

The search of databases identified 189 fetuses that met the study criteria: 132 (69.8%) with trisomy 18, 40 (21.2%) with trisomy 13, 10 (5.3%) with triploidy and seven (3.7%) with Turner syndrome. The NB was either absent or its measurement was below the 5th centile in 67 (50.8%), 20 (50.0%), five (50.0%) and two (28.6%) of the fetuses with trisomy 18, trisomy 13, triploidy and Turner syndrome, respectively. The PT measurement was above the 95th centile in 24 (18.2%), six (15.0%), one (10.0%) and one (14.3%) of the affected fetuses, respectively. The PFSR was abnormal in 72 (54.5%), 29 (72.5%), seven (70%) and four (57.1%) of the cases and the PT:NBL ratio was above the 95th centile or the nasal bone was absent in 72 (54.5%), 20 (50.0%), six (60.0%) and four (57.1%) cases, respectively.

Conclusion

Although each of the facial markers considered provides some useful information in screening for trisomy 18, trisomy 13, triploidy and Turner syndrome, the performance of none of the markers appears to be as good as that in screening for trisomy 21. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Pelvic floor muscle biometry and pelvic organ mobility in East Asian and Caucasian nulliparae
Authors: Cheung R. Y. K. , Shek K. L. , Chan S. S. C. , Chung T. K. H. , Dietz H. P.
Published: September 2014

Objective

To compare the differences in levator ani muscle biometry and hiatal dimensions between pregnant nulliparous Caucasian and East Asian women.

Methods

Offline analysis of three/four‐dimensional ultrasound volume data obtained from two groups of pregnant nulliparous women, Caucasian and East Asian, was performed. Volume acquisition was performed in the late third trimester using the same method in both groups, in the context of two prospective observational studies with identical entry criteria. Pelvic organ descent and levator hiatal dimensions were assessed using the volumes acquired on Valsalva maneuver, and pubovisceral muscle thickness was measured from the volumes obtained on pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC).

Results

Datasets of 200 East Asian and 168 Caucasian women were analyzed. Compared with Caucasian women, East Asian women had a significantly lower body mass index. All indices of pelvic organ descent were significantly higher in the Caucasian group than in the East Asian group. The difference, expressed as a percentage, in levator hiatal area on both Valsalva maneuver and PFMC was markedly greater in Caucasian (32% vs 19%; P < 0.001) than in East Asian (24% vs 20%; P = 0.01) women. After controlling for potential confounders using multivariate regression analysis, racial origin remained the only significant factor associated with differences in pelvic organ descent and hiatal dimensions. The thickness and area of pubovisceral muscle were significantly higher in the East Asian group.

Conclusions

Pregnant women of East Asian racial origin have a thicker pubovisceral muscle, smaller hiatus and less mobility of pelvic organs than do pregnant Caucasian women. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
In vivo EDXRF scanning analysis of human nail
Authors: Figueroa R. G. , Chávez I. R. , Bonzi E.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents the results of a new technique for in vivo energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) scan analysis, applied to human fingernails. The scan employs a specially designed EDXRF spectrometer, which allows a concentration profile of the elements detected in a human nail. In order to carry out this technique, a group of nail fragments taken from different people was analyzed. The elements S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb were detected in most of the samples. A bidimensional (x, y) scan was also performed on a whole removed nail in which the 2D spatial distribution of the detected elements was observed. Significant differences in some of the detected elements were noted. Minimum time of average detection per element was determined, based on the EDXRF spectra of the nail fragment. The time required to obtain an in vivo element profile of a typical nail was thus determined, applying the same geometry and acquisition conditions for all cases. The dose that the person undergoing this type of EDXRF scan analysis would be exposed to was also determined. Exposure time does not exceed 15 s, and the calculated administered dose is in the surface nail region of 0.1 mGy/s. The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to carry out an in vivo X‐ray fluorescence scan analysis. This information may be used in different fields of medicine, such as nutrition and toxicology, and in other areas that establish a correlation between the concentration of the detected elements and certain diseases. Nail and hair are known to be ‘accumulating tissues’ unlike bodily fluids. In some aspects, nail analysis can be equal to a blood test. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inborn errors of metabolism in the biosynthesis and remodelling of phospholipids
Authors: Wortmann Saskia B. , Espeel Marc , Almeida Ligia , Reimer Annette , Bosboom Dennis , Roels Frank , de Brouwer Arjan P.M. , Wevers Ron A.
Published: September 2014

Since the proposal to define a separate subgroup of inborn errors of metabolism involved in the biosynthesis and remodelling of phospholipids, sphingolipids and long chain fatty acids in 2013, this group is rapidly expanding. This review focuses on the disorders involved in the biosynthesis of phospholipids. Phospholipids are involved in uncountable cellular processes, e.g. as structural components of membranes, by taking part in vesicle and mitochondrial fusion and fission or signal transduction. Here we provide an overview on both pathophysiology and the extremely heterogeneous clinical presentations of the disorders reported so far (Sengers syndrome (due to mutations in AGK), MEGDEL syndrome (or SERAC defect, SERAC1), Barth syndrome (or TAZ defect, TAZ), congenital muscular dystrophy due to CHKB deficiency (CHKB). Boucher‐Neuhäuser/Gordon Holmes syndrome (PNPLA6), PHARC syndrome (ABHD12), hereditary spastic paraplegia type 28, 54 and 56 (HSP28, DDHD1; HSP54, DDHD2; HSP56, CYP2U1), Lenz Majewski syndrome (PTDSS1), spondylometaphyseal dysplasia with cone‐rod dystrophy (PCYT1A), atypical haemolytic‐uremic syndrome due to DGKE deficiency (DGKE).
Heat transport and pressure buildup during carbon dioxide injection into depleted gas reservoirs
Authors: Mathias Simon A. , McElwaine Jim N. , Gluyas Jon G.
Published: September 2014

In this article, a two-layer vertical equilibrium model for the injection of carbon dioxide into a low-pressure porous reservoir containing methane and water is developed. The dependent variables solved for include pressure, temperature and$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}{\mathrm{CO}}_2$–${\mathrm{CH}}_4$interface height. In contrast to previous two-layer vertical equilibrium models in this context, the compressibility of all material components is fully accounted for. Non-Darcy effects are also considered using the Forchheimer equation. The results show that, for a given injection scenario, as the initial pressure in the reservoir decreases, both the pressure buildup and temperature change increase. A comparison was conducted between a fully coupled non-isothermal numerical model and a simplified model where fluid properties are held constant with temperature. This simplified model was found to provide an excellent approximation when using the injection fluid temperature for calculating fluid properties, even when the injection fluid was as much as$\pm 15\, ^\circ \mathrm{C}$of the initial reservoir temperature. The implications are that isothermal models can be expected to provide useful estimates of pressure buildup in this context. Despite the low viscosity of${\mathrm{CO}}_2$at the low pressures studied, non-Darcy effects were found to be of negligible concern throughout the sensitivity analysis undertaken. This is because the${\mathrm{CO}}_2$density is also low in this context. Based on these findings, simplified analytic solutions are derived, which accurately calculate both the pressure buildup and temperature decline during the injection period.
Confinement effects in wind-turbine and propeller measurements
Authors: Segalini Antonio , Inghels Pieter
Published: September 2014

A new model to account for the presence of the test-section wall in wind-turbine or propeller measurements is proposed. The test section, here assumed to be cylindrical, is modelled by means of axisymmetric source panels, while the wind turbine (or the propeller) is modelled with a simplified vortex model (Segalini & Alfredsson, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 725, 2013, pp. 91–116). Combining both models in an iterative scheme allows the simulation of the effect of the test-section wall on the flow field around the rotor. Based on this novel approach, an analysis of the flow modification due to blockage is conducted together with a comparison of actuator-disk theory results. Glauert’s concept of equivalent unconfined turbine is reviewed and extended to account for the angular velocity of the rotor. It is shown that Glauert’s equivalent free-stream velocity concept is beneficial and can correct most of the systematic error introduced by the presence of the test-section wall, although some discrepancies remain, especially in the power coefficient. The effect of the confinement on the wake structure is also discussed in terms of wake expansion/contraction, pitch of the tip vortices and forces at the rotor.
Space–time characteristics of a compliant wall in a turbulent channel flow
Authors: Kim Euiyoung , Choi Haecheon
Published: September 2014

The space–time characteristics of a compliant wall in a turbulent channel flow are investigated using direct numerical simulation (DNS). The compliant wall is modelled as a homogeneous plane supported by spring-and-damper arrays and is passively driven by wall-pressure fluctuations. The frequency/wavenumber spectra and convection velocities of the wall-pressure fluctuations, wall displacement and wall velocity are obtained from the present simulation. As the spring, damping, and tension coefficients decrease, the wall becomes softer and the wall displacement and velocity fluctuations increase. For a relatively stiff compliant wall (i.e. large spring, damping and streamwise tension coefficients), there are few changes in the skin-friction drag and near-wall turbulence structures. However, when a compliant wall is soft (i.e. small spring, damping and streamwise tension coefficients), the wall moves in the form of a large-amplitude quasi-two-dimensional wave travelling in the downstream direction. This wave is generated by the resonance of the wall property and the near-wall flow is significantly activated by this wall motion. The power spectra of wall variables show distinct peaks near the resonance frequencies. The convection velocities of the wall motion and wall-pressure fluctuations become smaller with a softer wall.
Resonance patterns in spatially forced Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Weiss S. , Seiden G. , Bodenschatz E.
Published: September 2014

We report on the influence of a quasi-one-dimensional periodic forcing on the pattern selection process in Rayleigh–Bénard convection (RBC). The forcing was introduced by a lithographically fabricated periodic texture on the bottom plate. We study the convection patterns as a function of the Rayleigh number ($\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\mathit{Ra}$) and the dimensionless forcing wavenumber ($q_f$). For small $\mathit{Ra}$, convection takes the form of straight parallel rolls that are locked to the underlying forcing pattern. With increasing $\mathit{Ra}$, these rolls give way to more complex patterns, due to a secondary instability. The forcing wavenumber $q_f$ was varied in the experiment over the range of $0.6q_c<q_f<1.4q_c$, with $q_c$ being the critical wavenumber of the unforced system. We investigate the stability of straight rolls as a function of $q_f$ and report patterns that arise due to a secondary instability.
Pólya Urns Via the Contraction Method
Authors: KNAPE MARGARETE , NEININGER RALPH
Published: September 2014

We propose an approach to analysing the asymptotic behaviour of Pólya urns based on the contraction method. For this, a new combinatorial discrete-time embedding of the evolution of the urn into random rooted trees is developed. A decomposition of these trees leads to a system of recursive distributional equations which capture the distributions of the numbers of balls of each colour. Ideas from the contraction method are used to study such systems of recursive distributional equations asymptotically. We apply our approach to a couple of concrete Pólya urns that lead to limit laws with normal limit distributions, with non-normal limit distributions and with asymptotic periodic distributional behaviour.
Three Dutch Creoles in Comparison
Authors: Bakker Peter
Published: September 2014

Three Dutch creoles, all of them extinct, have been documented, but not all to the same extent. Negerhollands of the Virgin Islands has been documented throughout a 250-year period, Berbice Dutch of Guyana during two decades of solid fieldwork in the 1970s and 1980s, and Skepi Dutch is only known through a handful of sentences and some 200 words collected in the 1970s. In this article, the lexical and grammatical data from the three creoles are compared, to the extent that they are available and comparable. The lexicons are compared on the basis of the etymological sources (from Dutch and other languages, and when the source is Dutch, whether the same or different words provide source for the same meanings), and the phonological and phonotactic patterns of the roots. The grammatical comparison is done initially on the basis of the 10 grammatical traits deductible from the scarce Skepi material, and then on the basis of a larger set of 22 traits, where Skepi could not be taken into account. Typologically, Berbice Dutch appears closer to Dutch than the other two creoles, but lexically it is farthest from Dutch. For some of the analyses, phylogenetic software was used to visualize connections and distances between each of the creoles and Dutch. The conclusion is that the three creoles came into being independently, with some areal contact between Skepi Dutch and Berbice Dutch. It is also argued that the varieties of the 20th-century Negerhollands had become so typologically distinct from those of the 18th century that they should be treated as varieties of two separate languages. The documented forms of the language show a gradual move away from Dutch and toward a more creole-like profile in the 20th century.*
The Lenition and Deletion of Medial Voiced Obstruents in Afrikaans: Some Internal, External, and Extralinguistic Factors
Authors: Hinskens Frans
Published: September 2014

In Afrikaans, medial /g/, /v/, and /d/ have often been lenited or deleted, sometimes giving rise to alternations or the restructuring of stem forms. After an analysis of the distribution of the processes, some of the morphological consequences are briefly sketched. In order to find out more about the determinants of the lenition or deletion processes, which do not seem to have applied exceptionlessly, a quantitative analysis of lexicographical data containing over 200 different items was carried out. A number of probabilistic phonological and grammatical conditions were uncovered that provided insight into the rule-typological status of the processes. The lenition or deletion of /d/ appears to be sensitive to usage frequency as well. Some of the exceptions are due to sporadic reborrowing from Dutch. Cape Dutch Pidgin, one of the two main roots of modern Afrikaans, developed as a result of contact between 17th-century Dutch settlers and Cape Khoekhoen, who spoke Nàmá. Properties of the Nàmá phonology suggest that at least in Cape Dutch Pidgin, the obstruents that were subject to the lenition and deletion processes in question constituted a natural class.*
What's Past Is Past: Variation in the Expression of Past Time Reference in Negerhollands Narratives
Authors: van Sluijs Robbert
Published: September 2014

Negerhollands (or Virgin Islands Dutch Creole) is the extinct Dutch-lexified creole of present-day US Virgin Islands. One of the typical features of Caribbean creoles is the occurrence of both, overtly marked and unmarked pasts. This has been attested in Negerhollands, where there is variation between preverbal(h)aand the bare verb. Studies in a number of creole languages have shown that such variation is not random. Following up on these results, I investigate the impact of factors such as narrative discourse function, aspect, and syntactic priming on the expression of past time reference in 20th-century Negerhollands through a quantitative variationist study. The results show that the factors conditioning past time reference marking in Negerhollands resemble those in other creole languages but with an entirely different outcome: Whereas other (English-lexified) creoles typically use unmarked pasts, Negerhollands typically uses overt pasts. This may reflect Akan substrate influence rather than being a sign of language death.*
Plasma amino acid profiles are associated with insulin, C-peptide and adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Nakamura H , Jinzu H , Nagao K , Noguchi Y , Shimba N , Miyano H , Watanabe T , Iseki K
Published: September 2014

Objectives:

Plasma-free amino acid (PFAA) profiles have been associated with a future risk of developing diabetes or cardiovascular disease in nondiabetic subjects. These PFAA alterations might predominantly result from the metabolic shift caused by insulin resistance and visceral fat deposition. The variety of PFAA profiles within diabetic subjects is not well researched. In this study, we focused on type 2 diabetic subjects and examined the association between PFAA profiles and insulin- and glucose-related variables.

Methods:

Fifty-one Japanese subjects diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were recruited from an outpatient clinic. The plasma concentrations of 21 amino acids; glucose-related markers including glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), glycoalbumin and 1,5-anhydroglucitol; insulin-related markers including insulin, C-peptide, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; and adipocytokines including adiponectin and leptin were determined. The association of PFAA and other metabolic profiles were analyzed, and stratified analyses of the PFAAs and clinical characteristics were performed according to the fasting plasma insulin and HbA1c levels. In addition, the PFAA indices that correlate to visceral fat obesity were evaluated.

Results:

Although strong correlations between PFAAs and glucose-related markers were not observed, several amino acids (branched-chain amino acids, tryptophan, alanine, tyrosine, glutamate and proline) and PFAA indices that evaluate visceral obesity were highly correlated with insulin-related markers and adiponectin (P<0.001). In the group of diabetic patients with hyperinsulinemia, the amino acid levels were significantly increased, which generally demonstrated good concordance with insulin-related markers and adiponectin levels.

Conclusions:

The PFAA profiles in diabetic patients were strongly associated with hyperinsulinemia and hypoadiponectinemia, which might become risk evaluation factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Artificial selection on anther exsertion in wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum
Authors: Conner Jeffrey K. , Mills Cynthia J. , Koelling Vanessa A. , Karoly Keith
Published: September 2014

To study the genetic architecture of anther exsertion, a trait under stabilizing selection in wild radish, artificial selection on anther exsertion was applied for 11 generations. Two replicate lines each of increased and decreased exsertion plus two randomly-mated controls were included. Full pedigree information is available from generation five. To estimate correlated responses to selection, 571 plants from all lines and matrilines were grown in the greenhouse and a number of floral, growth, and phenology traits were measured. To create an outbred F2 mapping population, all possible crosses among the two high and two low exsertion lines were made, using a multiple-family design to capture the genetic variance still present after 11 generations of selection. Six floral traits were measured on 40 parents, 240 F1, and 4,868 F2 offspring. Opportunities for reuse of these data include traits not previously analyzed, other analyses, especially using the pedigree and fitness data, and seeds from all generations and photos of flowers in the later generations are available.
A Southern Indian Ocean database of hydrographic profiles obtained with instrumented elephant seals
Authors: Roquet Fabien , Williams Guy , Hindell Mark A. , Harcourt Rob , McMahon Clive , Guinet Christophe , Charrassin Jean-Benoit , Reverdin Gilles , Boehme Lars , Lovell Phil , Fedak Mike
Published: September 2014

The instrumentation of southern elephant seals with satellite-linked CTD tags has offered unique temporal and spatial coverage of the Southern Indian Ocean since 2004. This includes extensive data from the Antarctic continental slope and shelf regions during the winter months, which is outside the conventional areas of Argo autonomous floats and ship-based studies. This landmark dataset of around 75,000 temperature and salinity profiles from 20–140 °E, concentrated on the sector between the Kerguelen Islands and Prydz Bay, continues to grow through the coordinated efforts of French and Australian marine research teams. The seal data are quality controlled and calibrated using delayed-mode techniques involving comparisons with other existing profiles as well as cross-comparisons similar to established protocols within the Argo community, with a resulting accuracy of ±0.03 °C in temperature and ±0.05 in salinity or better. The data offer invaluable new insights into the water masses, oceanographic processes and provides a vital tool for oceanographers seeking to advance our understanding of this key component of the global ocean climate.
Brain Mass and Cranial Nerve Size in Shrews and Moles
Authors: Leitch Duncan B. , Sarko Diana K. , Catania Kenneth C.
Published: September 2014

We investigated the relationship between body size, brain size and fibers in selected cranial nerves in shrews and moles. Species include tiny masked shrews (S. cinereus) weighing only a few grams and much larger mole species weighing up to 90 grams. It also includes closely related species with very different sensory specializations – such as the star-nosed mole and the common, eastern mole. We found that moles and shrews have tiny optic nerves with fiber counts not correlated with body or brain size. Auditory nerves were similarly small but increased in fiber number with increasing brain and body size. Trigeminal nerve number was by far the largest and also increased with increasing brain and body size. The star-nosed mole was an outlier, with more than twice the number of trigeminal nerve fibers than any other species. Despite this hypertrophied cranial nerve, star-nosed mole brains were not larger than predicted from body size, suggesting that magnification of their somatosensory systems does not result in greater overall CNS size.
Prognostic role of PIK3CA mutations and their association with hormone receptor expression in breast cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Pang Bo , Cheng Shi , Sun Shi-Peng , An Cheng , Liu Zhi-Yuan , Feng Xue , Liu Gui-Jian
Published: September 2014

The phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene is frequently mutated in breast cancer (BCa). Sex hormone receptors (HRs), including estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) play pivotal roles in BCa. In this study, we evaluated the association between PIK3CA mutations and ER/PR expression and the prognostic role of PIK3CA mutations in BCa patients and in particular, HR-positive BCa. Thirty-two studies involving 5719 cases of BCa obtained from database searches were examined. PIK3CA gene mutations correlated significantly with ER/PR expression (p < 0.00001) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59–0.98, p = 0.03) but not overall survival (OS) (HR 1.14, 95%CI 0.72–1.82, p = 0.57) in unsorted BCa patients. PIK3CA mutations were not associated with OS (HR 1.06, 95%CI 0.67–1.67, p = 0.81) or RFS (HR 0.86, 95%CI 0.53–1.40, p = 0.55) in HR-positive BCa patients. In conclusion, PIK3CA mutations were significantly related to ER/PR expression and RFS in unsorted BCa patients. However, the clinical implications of PIK3CA mutations may vary according to different mutant exons. And PIK3CA mutations alone may have limited prognostic value for HR-positive BCa patients.
Electronic Coupling and Catalytic Effect on H2 Evolution of MoS2/Graphene Nanocatalyst
Authors: Liao Ting , Sun Ziqi , Sun Chenghua , Dou Shi Xue , Searles Debra J.
Published: September 2014

Inorganic nano-graphene hybrid materials that are strongly coupled via chemical bonding usually present superior electrochemical performance. However, how the chemical bond forms and the synergistic catalytic mechanism remain fundamental questions. In this study, the chemical bonding of the MoS2 nanolayer supported on vacancy mediated graphene and the hydrogen evolution reaction of this nanocatalyst system were investigated. An obvious reduction of the metallic state of the MoS2 nanolayer is noticed as electrons are transferred to form a strong contact with the reduced graphene support. The missing metallic state associated with the unsaturated atoms at the peripheral sites in turn modifies the hydrogen evolution activity. The easiest evolution path is from the Mo edge sites, with the presence of the graphene resulting in a decrease in the energy barrier from 0.17 to 0.11 eV. Evolution of H2 from the S edge becomes more difficult due to an increase in the energy barrier from 0.43 to 0.84 eV. The clarification of the chemical bonding and catalytic mechanisms for hydrogen evolution using this strongly coupled MoS2/graphene nanocatalyst provide a valuable source of reference and motivation for further investigation for improved hydrogen evolution using chemically active nanocoupled systems.
Dip-pen microarraying of molecular beacon probes on microgel thin-film substrates
Authors: Dai Xiaoguang , Libera Matthew
Published: September 2014

Micron-sized spots of molecular beacon probes are patterned on PEG microgel thin films using dip-pen nanolithography.
Determination of tizoxanide, the active metabolite of nitazoxanide, by micellar liquid chromatography using a monolithic column. Application to pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Shalan Shereen , Nasr Jenny Jeehan , Belal Fathalla
Published: September 2014

In this study, a micellar liquid chromatography method is proposed for determination of tizoxanide, the active metabolite of nitazoxanide, using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulphate, 8%n-propanol and 0.3% triethylamine in 0.02 M phosphoric acid.
Comparative analysis of trace elements contained in Rhizoma Curcumae from different origins and their vinegar products by ICP-MS
Authors: Liao Wan , Gan Yan-Xiong , Zhao Si-Lei , Luo Ni-Ni , Rahmadini Nuriza , Giannotta Francesca , Fu Chao-Mei , Rui-Li Rui-Li , Wang Ji-Sen
Published: September 2014

A comparison of trace elements contained in Rhizoma Curcumae and their corresponding vinegar products was undertaken using ICP-MS, indicating the possible mechanism of the processing technique and sources identification of Rhizoma Curcumae.
Reversible multi-control fluorescent switch and molecular logic gate based on selective recognition of Fe3+ and its application to multiplex detection
Authors: Liang Yan , Liu Weizhou , Zhang Hui , Chen Fang
Published: September 2014

Schematic diagram describing the working process of molecular logic gates (a) “NOR”, (b) “OR”, and (c) “INHIBIT”, and (d) the possible binding modes between PA and Fe3+.
Two-phase electrodriven membrane extraction combined with liquid chromatography for the determination of tricyclic antidepressants in aqueous matrices
Authors: Sanagi Mohd Marsin , Mohamad Hanapi Nor Suhaila , Ismail Abd Khamim , Wan Ibrahim Wan Aini , Saim Nor'ashikin , Yahaya Noorfatimah
Published: September 2014

Two-phase low-voltage electrodriven membrane extraction combined with HPLC for the determination of tricyclic antidepressants in aqueous matrices.
Fabrication of a novel Ti–TiO2–ZrO2 fiber for solid-phase microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography for sensitive determination of UV filters in environmental water samples
Authors: Li Yi , Yang Yaoxia , Liu Haixia , Wang Xuemei , Du Xinzhen
Published: September 2014

A novel ZrO2 nanoparticle coated TiO2-based fiber for solid-phase microextraction was fabricated for sensitive determination of ultraviolet filters in environmental water samples.
Design of thiol–ene photoclick hydrogels using facile techniques for cell culture applications
Authors: Sawicki Lisa A. , Kloxin April M.
Published: September 2014

Thiol–ene photoclick hydrogels with tunable biomechanical and biochemical properties for biological applications, including controlled cell culture, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery.
Sustainable and scalable production of monodisperse and highly uniform colloidal carbonaceous spheres using sodium polyacrylate as the dispersant
Authors: Gong Yutong , Xie Lei , Li Haoran , Wang Yong
Published: September 2014

A sustainable and scalable strategy for the production of monodisperse, uniform carbon spheres using sodium polyacrylate as the dispersant.
A highly active PtCu3 intermetallic core–shell, multilayered Pt-skin, carbon embedded electrocatalyst produced by a scale-up sol–gel synthesis
Authors: Bele M. , Jovanovič P. , Pavlišič A. , Jozinović B. , Zorko M. , Rečnik A. , Chernyshova E. , Hočevar S. , Hodnik N. , Gaberšček M.
Published: September 2014

We present a novel, scaled-up sol–gel synthesis which enables one to produce 20 g batches of highly active and stable carbon supported PtCu3 nanoparticles as cathode materials for low temperature fuel cell application.
Highly regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of diphenylnitrilimine to Sc3N@Ih-C80 affording a very stable, unprecedented pyrazole-ring fused derivative of endohedral metallofullerenes
Authors: Liu Bin , Cong Hailin , Li Xiaofang , Yu Bing , Bao Lipiao , Cai Wenting , Xie Yunpeng , Lu Xing
Published: September 2014

The first 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of diphenylnitrilimine to Sc3N@C80 affords an unprecedented pyrazole-ring fused derivative of endohedral metallofullerenes in a highly regioselective manner.
Mesocrystalline materials and the involvement of oriented attachment – a review
Authors: Bahrig Lydia , Hickey Stephen G. , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: September 2014

In this work the oriented attachment and mesocrystal formationvianon-classical pathways have been reviewed with particular emphasis being placed on their self-assembly mechanisms as well as the new collective properties of the resulting crystalline nanoparticular arrangements and their potential uses in applications.
Effect of inductive effect on the formation of cocrystals and eutectics
Authors: Prasad Karothu Durga , Cherukuvada Suryanarayan , Devaraj Stephen L. , Guru Row Tayur N.
Published: September 2014

The combination of the antiprotozoal drug ornidazole with benzoic acid and its structural analogues resulted in cocrystals and eutectics of the drug based on the induction strength complementarity between participant hydrogen bond donor–acceptor groups.
Particle shapes and surface structures of olivine NaFePO4 in comparison to LiFePO4
Authors: Whiteside Alexander , Fisher Craig A. J. , Parker Stephen C. , Saiful Islam M.
Published: September 2014

Atomistic simulations of NaFePO4 indicate a variety of (nano)particle morphologies can be achieved by tuning surface stabilities, which are compared to those of LiFePO4.
Upconverting nanoparticles: assessing the toxicity
Authors: Gnach Anna , Lipinski Tomasz , Bednarkiewicz Artur , Rybka Jacek , Capobianco John A.
Published: September 2014

Based on a survey of existing studies, low nanotoxicity of lanthanide doped upconverting nanoparticles holds promise for their safety and suitability for biomedical detection and imaging.