bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenological synchrony betweenScaphoideus titanus(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) hatchings and grapevine bud break: could this explain the insect's expansion?
Authors: Chuche J. , Desvignes E. , Bonnard O. , Thiéry D.
Published: October 2014

Scaphoideus titanusis the invasive vector of the phytoplasma causing the Flavescence dorée in European vineyards. This epidemic is a serious threat to viticulture that has been increasing for more than 60 years in Europe. We studied the effect of synchrony with the plant phenology and the effect of plant-sap quality on the individual fitness. Thus, we conducted laboratory experiments to determine if insect hatchings were synchronized with grapevine bud break. We used two natural populations: one from a cold winter vineyard and one from a mild winter vineyard. In both cases, egg hatching was synchronized with bud break and leaf appearance. The phloem quality of the young and old leaves as a food source was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the effects onS. titanusgrowth were evaluated. Phloem composition varied with the grapevine cutting's age but also varied between leaves of different ages from the same plant. The older leaves were less nutritious because they had the highest carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and the lowest content of essential amino acids. Despite diverse phloem qualities, no fitness difference was observed. We found that the synchronization of egg hatchings with bud break is well regulated. However, the nymphs are not affected by the phloem-sap quality, suggesting thatS. titanusmay accept different food qualities and that egg hatching synchrony could contribute to population expansion in vineyards.
Patient-reported outcomes in children suffering with mild to moderate tonsillitis versus those in children with severe tonsillitis
Authors: Soni-Jaiswal A , Anderco I , Kumar B N
Published: October 2014

Objective:

To quantify the impact that mild to moderate tonsillitis has on quality of life in children and compare it to that of severe tonsillitis.

Methods:

In this prospective study, parents of children aged 0–16 years completed the Paediatric Throat Disorders Outcome Test, and quality of life scores in the tonsillitis groups were compared.

Results:

A hundred children were recruited: 58 had severe tonsillitis and were offered surgery, and 42 had mild to moderate tonsillitis and were managed conservatively. The mean outcome test scores in those children undergoing surgery were 36.7 for tonsillectomy patients and 36.9 for adenotonsillectomy patients, compared with a score of 31.5 for the mild to moderate tonsillitis patients (p = 0.019).

Conclusion:

Children with mild to moderate disease had significantly better quality of life scores than those with severe disease. It is thought that those with mild to moderate disease have short-term improvements in general quality of life after surgery, which disappear in the medium term. This transient improvement needs to be balanced against the morbidity of the surgery and the cost burden to the National Health Service. The results of this study support the national drive towards limiting tonsillectomy to children with severe tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnoea.
A key to the corticolous microfoliose, foliose and related crustose lichens from Rondônia, Brazil, with the description of four new species
Authors: APTROOT André , CÁCERES Marcela Eugenia da Silva
Published: October 2014

A key is given to the foliose and squamulose lichens known so far from Rondônia, including also corticolous crustose lichens with a chlorococcoid alga. The foliicolousLecanoralesfound are also listed. The following four new corticolousLecanoralesare described from Rondônia:Calopadia granulosawith a granular, corticate thallus and ascospores 1 per ascus, 33–38×10·5–13·0 µm;Crustospathula amazonicawith irregularly capitate to nearly globose,c.0·2–0·4 mm diam. soralia on cartilaginous stalks;Flavoparmelia plicatawith a thallus containing usnic and protocetraric acids, with laminal, irregular, globose to cylindrical isidia which are often easily abraded and showing the whitish medulla, but not sorediate or postulate;Physcidia striatawith ascending squamules, without hypothallus, often with laminal isidia in defined areas towards lobe tips of some, usually sterile lobes, and often with biatorine apothecia with ascospores simple to 1-septate, (6·2–)7·5–10·0×(2·5–)3·0–3·5 µm. In the whole lichen flora of the lowland rainforest region of Rondônia, the following traits can be discerned: foliose lichens amount to only 17 species (2·7% of nearly 600), 33 (5·5%) are squamulose, while the vast majority (91·8%) are crustose. Cyanobacteria are present in only 6 (1%) species. A chlorococcoid alga present inc. 100 (16%), 12 of which (2%) have a myrmecioid alga. The remainder of the species, a staggering 83%, have trentepohlioid alga, including 6 (1%) withPhycopeltis. In neotropical lowland rainforest, the vast majority of the lichens are crustose and contain a trentepohlioid alga, and theArthoniales,Graphidaceaeand pyrenocarpous lichens are the main groups, each accounting for roughly a quarter of the lichen biodiversity.
Spatial dispersal of airborne pollutants and their effects on growth and viability of lichen transplants along a rural highway in Norway
Authors: YEMETS Olena A. , SOLHAUG Knut Asbjørn , GAUSLAA Yngvar
Published: October 2014

This study aims to quantify dispersal of airborne traffic-related elemental pollutants and concurring responses – relative growth rate (RGR), maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), and chlorophylls (Chlab) – in four epiphytic lichens (Lobaria pulmonaria,Parmelia sulcata,Ramalina farinacea,Usnea dasopoga). Lichens were transplanted from 25 September to 26 March to 1·5 m tall stands in open farmlands at 10, 15, 30, 50 and 100 m from the E6 highway (SE Norway), along three transects on each side usnea dasopoga of the road. The concentrations of most elements (Ca, Mg,Na,Fe,Al, Zn,Ba,Cu,V,Cr,Ni,Co,Sn, As, Mo) significantly increased with increasing proximity to the road. Elements inboldhad elevated concentrations relative to controls, at least in some species at 100 m. The heavy metal accumulation increased from foliose to fruticose lichens in the order:P. sulcata>L. pulmonaria>R. farinacea≫U. dasopoga.However,L. pulmonariawas the only species with strong pollutant-dependent reductions in growth,Fv/Fm, Chlab, and Chla/b-ratio. The RGR and viability parameters were adversely affected by the roadside environment near the road only (≤15 m), and only after substantial heavy metal accumulation. Measurement of metal accumulation in lichens is thus a far more sensitive way of monitoring road pollutants than recording growth and lichen viability. Despite strong species-specific contrasts in elemental concentrations, most road pollutant elements responded similarly to distance from the road in all species.
Migrants, Slums and the Construction of Citizenship in Gandhi's Ahmedabad (1915 - 1930)
Authors: BOBBIO TOMMASO
Published: October 2014

Abstract*

This article explores Gandhi's engagement with the industrial workers of Ahmedabad city and his effort to integrate them into urban society. As the emergence of a large textile industrial sector shaped Ahmedabad as one of the first industrial cities in India, migrants flowed into the city in search of work, and settled in makeshift slums surrounding the textile mills. Concepts such as citizen and citizenship were progressively redefined so as to place the whole city in counterpoint to the countryside. For the migrants, becoming a citizen meant conforming to a lifestyle which reflected the ideal model of urbanity. In 1918, one year before launching the first national satyagraha, Gandhi led the mill workers of Ahmedabad in a ‘righteous struggle’ in opposition to the city's industrialists. While he led the workers in their quest for higher wages, Gandhi also acted on a broader level to help workers integrate in the city as ‘citizens’.
ROW CONVEX TABLEAUX AND BOTT–SAMELSON VARIETIES
Authors: FOTH PHILIP , KIM SANGJIB
Published: October 2014

By using row convex tableaux, we study the section rings of Bott–Samelson varieties of type A. We obtain flat deformations and standard monomial type bases of the section rings. In a separate section, we investigate a three-dimensional Bott–Samelson variety in detail and compute its Hilbert polynomial and toric degenerations.
Palliative treatment of thiamine-related encephalopathy (Wernicke's encephalopathy) in cancer: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: Isenberg-Grzeda Elie , Hsu Alan John , Hatzoglou Vaios , Nelso Christian , Breitbart William
Published: October 2014

Objective:

Thiamine-related encephalopathy (Wernicke's encephalopathy) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency often associated with alcoholism. Cancer predisposes patients to thiamine deficiency unrelated to alcoholism, though many cases are missed clinically. The present report adds to the literature on thiamine as a palliative tool for thiamine-related encephalopathy (TRE) in cancer.

Method:

From a larger series of TRE in cancer, we report on three cases with terminal illness.

Results:

Case 1. A 61-year old woman with Hodgkin's lymphoma developed TRE over 13 days. Precipitants included a hypermetabolic state in the background of subacute thiamine deficiency. Diagnosis was supported by abnormal serum thiamine and positive MRI findings. Mental status improved within 36 hours of initiating thiamine 500 mg IV t.i.d. Case 2. A 68-year-old man with colon cancer metastatic to liver and bone developed TRE precipitated by C. difficile–related diarrhea superimposed on 3 months of low appetite and weight loss. Diagnosis was supported by abnormal serum thiamine, and thiamine 500 mg IV t.i.d. was initiated. Improvements in mental status began within 36 hours. Case 3. An 80-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma developed TRE precipitated by systemic infection in the context of three weeks of dysphagia. Antibiotic treatment did not reverse his cognitive symptoms, and a diagnosis of TRE was made based on operationalized criteria. Thiamine 100 mg IV daily did not reverse his symptoms. On his 30th day of admission, thiamine was increased to 500 mg IV t.i.d., resulting in a rapid reversal of altered mental status.

Significance of Results:

This report adds to the list of cancer types in which TRE/Wernicke's encephalopathy has been reported. It supports the use of higher doses of thiamine than are typically recommended in North America. Improvement following treatment allowed patients to engage with family and treatment teams prior to death.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF CARL SCHMITT’S POLITICAL THOUGHT DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR
Authors: ROGERS MICHAEL DYLAN
Published: October 2014

Two legal publications that Carl Schmitt produced during the First World War contain the first expressions of his maximally authoritarian interpretation of the state of emergency. Yet, when read in conjunction with his wartime journals, we find that his production of these texts is contextualized by a profound, private struggle over whether to accept or reject the political values they articulate. What is most surprising about Schmitt's self-presentation in these journals is the degree to which, during the early war period, he expresses a visceral anti-authoritarianism and concern for decidedly liberal ideals such as the rights of the individual and the separation of powers. But it is also in these journals that we observe the process—culminating in a moment of existential decision during the winter of 1915–16—through which he came to see such liberal commitments as untenable on both personal and political-theoretical levels simultaneously.
The effect of model uncertainty on the pricing of critical illness insurance
Authors: (Ozkok) Dodd Erengul , Streftaris George , Waters Howard R. , Stott Andrew D.
Published: October 2014

In this paper we calculate and compare diagnosis and net premium rates for critical illness insurance using different models for the claim delay distribution (CDD). The choice of CDD affects the diagnosis rates and hence the net premium rates in two ways: through the estimation of missing dates of diagnosis and through the adjustment of the exposure to allow for claims diagnosed but not settled in the observation period. We consider two CDDs: a three-parameter Burr distribution and a lognormal distribution. Our conclusion, based on a single, but extensive, data set, is that net premium rates are not significantly affected by the choice of CDD.
Electrophysiological changes in laterodorsal tegmental neurons associated with prenatal nicotine exposure: implications for heightened susceptibility to addict to drugs of abuse
Authors: Christensen M. H. , Nielsen M. L. , Kohlmeier K. A.
Published: October 2014

Prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) is a risk factor for developing an addiction to nicotine at a later stage in life. Understanding the neurobiological changes in reward related circuitry induced by exposure to nicotine prenatally is vital if we are to combat the heightened addiction liability in these vulnerable individuals. The laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT), which is comprised of cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, is importantly involved in reward mediation via demonstrated excitatory projections to dopamine-containing ventral tegmental neurons. PNE could lead to alterations in LDT neurons that would be expected to alter responses to later-life nicotine exposure. To examine this issue, we monitored nicotine-induced responses of LDT neurons in brain slices of PNE and drug naive mice using calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamping. Nicotine was found to induce rises in calcium in a smaller proportion of LDT cells in PNE mice aged 7–15 days and smaller rises in calcium in PNE animals from postnatal ages 11–21 days when compared with age-matched control animals. While inward currents induced by nicotine were not found to be different, nicotine did induce larger amplitude excitatory postsynaptic currents in PNE animals in the oldest age group when compared with amplitudes induced in similar-aged control animals. Immunohistochemically identified cholinergic LDT cells from PNE animals exhibited slower spike rise and decay slopes, which likely contributed to the wider action potential observed. Further, PNE was associated with a more negative action potential afterhyperpolarization in cholinergic cells. Interestingly, the changes found in these parameters in animals exposed prenatally to nicotine were age related, in that they were not apparent in animals from the oldest age group examined. Taken together, our data suggest that PNE induces changes in cholinergic LDT cells that would be expected to alter cellular excitability. As the changes are age related, these PNE-associated alterations could contribute differentially across ontogeny to nicotine-mediated reward and may contribute to the particular susceptibility ofin uteronicotine exposed individuals to addict to nicotine upon nicotine exposure in the juvenile period.
Test Anxiety, Self-Control, and Knowledge Retrieval in Secondary School Students
Authors: Bertrams Alex , Englert Chris
Published: October 2014

The relationship between anxiety and performance has been found to depend on momentary self-control strength. In a sample of secondary school students (N = 136), we examined whether this finding can be generalized to knowledge retrieval. First, participants’ test anxiety was assessed and their self-control strength was experimentally manipulated, and then they completed a standardized vocabulary test as a measure of knowledge retrieval. While knowledge retrieval was not a function of test anxiety or self-control strength, the interaction of both variables predicted the knowledge demonstrated. In line with previous research, students with low self-control strength performed worse the more test anxious they were. In contrast, anxiety was unrelated to vocabulary performance in students with high self-control strength. We interpret this pattern such that test anxiety only hampers knowledge retrieval when self-control cannot be used to compensate for anxiety-related attentional deficits. This finding suggests that thorough preparation does not guarantee good test grades.
Professionelle Unterrichtswahrnehmung von Lehramtsstudierenden
Authors: Jahn Gloria , Stürmer Kathleen , Seidel Tina , Prenzel Manfred
Published: October 2014

Zusammenfassung. Im Rahmen einer deutschlandweiten Scaling-up Studie wurde eine Prüfung des Kompetenzmodells der Professionellen Unterrichtswahrnehmung mit dem Tool Observer an einer Stichprobe von N = 1029 Lehramtsstudierenden vorgenommen. Als Teil der Validierung des Instruments wurde untersucht, inwieweit das Instrument bei Studierenden unterschiedlicher Lehramtsstudiengänge vergleichbar eingesetzt werden kann. Analog zu den Befunden der Skalierungsstudie (N = 152) kann Professionelle Unterrichtswahrnehmung empirisch als eine Gesamtfähigkeit abgebildet werden, die sich in die drei Aspekte Beschreiben, Erklären und Vorhersagen differenzieren lässt. Diese Kompetenzstruktur wird bei Studierendengruppen verschiedener Lehramtsstudiengänge repliziert, wobei die Interpretation der Itemschwierigkeiten mit Blick auf die verschiedenen Lehramtsstudiengänge erfolgen muss.
Heterogenität von Schülerleistungen in der Grundschule
Authors: Decristan Jasmin , Naumann Alexander , Fauth Benjamin , Rieser Svenja , Büttner Gerhard , Klieme Eckhard
Published: October 2014

Das Thema Heterogenität hat in den letzten Jahren eine zunehmende Präsenz sowohl in empirischer Schul- und Unterrichtsforschung als auch in Schulpraxis und bildungspolitischen Diskussionen erfahren. In diesem Aufsatz wird untersucht, welche Zusammenhänge zwischen verschiedenen objektiven Indikatoren der Heterogenität auf Klassenebene und einer globalen Lehrereinschätzung von Leistungsheterogenität bestehen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen zunächst, dass im Grundschulbereich das Ausmaß von Heterogenität (gemessen an der klasseninternen Streuung) bei verschiedenen Leistungsindikatoren (kognitive Grundfähigkeiten, Leseverständnis, naturwissenschaftliche Kompetenz) unkorreliert ist, so dass sich nicht einheitlich von „der” Leistungsheterogenität sprechen lässt. Die Einschätzung von 49 Lehrkräften zur Leistungsheterogenität ihrer Klasse stimmte mit objektiven Leistungsstreuungen im Leseverständnis, in naturwissenschaftlicher Kompetenz sowie in einem kombinierten Leistungsindex gut überein. Bei Nicht-Passung tendierten die Lehrkräfte dazu, die Leistungsheterogenität eher zu überschätzen; hierfür erwies sich der Anteil an Kindern mit Migrationshintergrund als bedeutsam. Zusammengenommen bietet dieser Beitrag eine weitere empirische Grundlage für den gegenwärtigen Heterogenitätsdiskurs.
Verständnis von Emotionsregulationsstrategien im Vorschulalter
Authors: Gust Nicole , Koglin Ute , Petermann Franz
Published: October 2014

Ein differenziertes Verständnis von Emotionsregulationsstrategien stellt eine bedeutsame Ressource dar, die die Emotionsregulationsfähigkeit steigert. In der Studie wurde untersucht, ob Drei- bis Fünfjährige (N = 208) unterschiedliche Emotionsregulationsstrategien in ihrer Wirksamkeit einschätzen können. Den Kindern wurden sechs Bildergeschichten mit den Emotionen Ärger, Trauer und Angst präsentiert. Zu jeder Geschichte wurden vier Strategien vorgegeben, die die Kinder auf ihre Wirksamkeit hin einschätzen sollten. Das Ergebnis der Varianzanalyse zeigte einen signifikanten Interaktionseffekt des Alters und der Effektivität der Strategien. Dabei nehmen die korrekten Nennungen der effektiven Strategien über das Vorschulalter nicht zu, während die Fähigkeit, ineffektive Strategien auszuschließen, über die Altersstufen ansteigt. Darüber hinaus konnte eine Regressionsanalyse einen Effekt des kognitiven und keinen Effekt des sprachlichen Entwicklungsstandes auf das Verständnis von Emotionsregulationsstrategien belegen. Die Methode zur Erfassung des Verständnisses von Emotionsregulationsstrategien wurde diskutiert.
A Smoothened receptor agonist is neuroprotective and promotes regeneration after ischemic brain injury
Authors: Chechneva O V , Mayrhofer F , Daugherty D J , Krishnamurty R G , Bannerman P , Pleasure D E , Deng W
Published: October 2014

Ischemic stroke occurs as a result of blood supply interruption to the brain causing tissue degeneration, patient disabilities or death. Currently, treatment of ischemic stroke is limited to thrombolytic therapy with a narrow time window of administration. The sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway has a fundamental role in the central nervous system development, but its impact on neural cell survival and tissue regeneration/repair after ischemic stroke has not been well investigated. Here we report the neuroprotective properties of a small-molecule agonist of the Shh co-receptor Smoothened, purmorphamine (PUR), in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model of ischemic stroke. We found that intravenous administration of PUR at 6 h after injury was neuroprotective and restored neurological deficit after stroke. PUR promoted a transient upregulation of tissue-type plasminogen activator in injured neurons, which was associated with a reduction of apoptotic cell death in the ischemic cortex. We also observed a decrease in blood–brain barrier permeability after PUR treatment. At 14 d postinjury, attenuation of inflammation and reactive astrogliosis was found in PUR-treated animals. PUR increased the number of newly generated neurons in the peri-infarct and infarct area and promoted neovascularization in the ischemic zone. Notably, PUR treatment did not significantly alter the ischemia-induced level of Gli1, a Shh target gene of tumorigenic potential. Thus our study reports a novel pharmacological approach for postischemic treatment using a small-molecule Shh agonist, providing new insights into hedgehog signaling-mediated mechanisms of neuroprotection and regeneration after stroke.
Emerging evidence of coding mutations in the ubiquitin–proteasome system associated with cerebellar ataxias
Authors: Ronnebaum Sarah M , Patterson Cam , Schisler Jonathan C
Published: October 2014

Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a disorder associated with impairments in balance, coordination, and gait caused by degeneration of the cerebellum. The mutations associated with CA affect functionally diverse genes; furthermore, the underlying genetic basis of a given CA is unknown in many patients. Exome sequencing has emerged as a cost-effective technology to discover novel genetic mutations, including autosomal recessive CA (ARCA). Five recent studies that describe how exome sequencing performed on a diverse pool of ARCA patients revealed 14 unique mutations in STUB1, a gene that encodes carboxy terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP). CHIP mediates protein quality control through chaperone and ubiquitin ligase activities and is implicated in alleviating proteotoxicity in several neurodegenerative diseases. However, these recent studies linking STUB1 mutations to various forms of ataxia are the first indications that CHIP is directly involved in the progression of a human disease. Similar exome-sequencing studies have revealed novel mutations in ubiquitin-related proteins associated with CA and other neurological disorders. This review provides an overview of CA, describes the benefits and limitations of exome sequencing, outlines newly discovered STUB1 mutations, and theorizes on how CHIP and other ubiquitin-related proteins function to prevent neurological deterioration.
Squeezing red blood cells on an optical waveguide to monitor cell deformability during blood storage
Authors: Ahluwalia Balpreet Singh , McCourt Peter , Oteiza Ana , Wilkinson James S. , Huser Thomas R. , Hellesø Olav Gaute
Published: October 2014

Red blood cells squeeze through micro-capillaries as part of blood circulation in the body.
Dual-functional probes for sequential thiol and redox homeostasis sensing in live cells
Authors: Ma Tao , Ding Hui , Xu Haijiao , Lv Yanlin , Liu Heng , Wang Hongda , Tian Zhiyuan
Published: October 2014

A new type of resorufin-based dual-functional fluorescent probe whose fluorescence emission features are sensitive to thiol compounds and redox homeostasis was developed.
Comparison of different calibration approaches for chloramphenicol quantification in chicken muscle by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Pan Xiao-Dong , Jiang Wei , Wu Ping-Gu
Published: October 2014

Matrix-dependent signal suppression often occurs in quantitative analysis by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
Supramolecular interaction of labetalol with cucurbit[7]uril for its sensitive fluorescence detection
Authors: Li Changfeng , Feng Jianxia , Ju Huangxian
Published: October 2014

The supramolecular interaction between labetalol and cucurbit[7]uril is studied for simple and sensitive fluorescence detection of labetalol through its competitive interaction with berberine, palmatine or coptisine for occupancy of the cucurbit[7]uril cavity.
Real-time microfluidic recombinase polymerase amplification for the toxin B gene of Clostridium difficile on a SlipChip platform
Authors: Tsaloglou M.-N. , Watson R. J. , Rushworth C. M. , Zhao Y. , Niu X. , Sutton J. M. , Morgan H.
Published: October 2014

A SlipChip platform with six parallel 500 nL reaction chambers was fabricated using rapid prototyping in acrylic. We demonstrated real-time RPA with 1 fg (1000 copies) of DNA.
ESR spectroscopy as a powerful tool for probing the quality of conjugated polymers designed for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Susarova Diana K. , Piven Natalia P. , Akkuratov Alexander V. , Frolova Lyubov A. , Polinskaya Marina S. , Ponomarenko Sergey A. , Babenko Sergey D. , Troshin Pavel A.
Published: October 2014

ESR spectroscopy was shown to be a highly sensitive analytical tool for probing the quality of conjugated polymers designed for photovoltaic applications.
Is it possible to achieve a complete desaturation of cycloalkanes promoted by o-benzyne?
Authors: Cervantes-Navarro Francisco , de Cózar Abel , Cossío Fernando P. , Fernández-Herrera María A. , Merino Gabriel , Fernández Israel
Published: October 2014

Systems able to undergo complete desaturation by consecutive double hydrogen atom transfer reactions are suggested.
Tuning the selectivity of triplex DNA receptors
Authors: Huang Haidong , Tlatelpa Peter C.
Published: October 2014

Incorporation of a 5-methyl-2-thiocytosine base to the parallel homopyrimidine region of a triplex DNA receptor enabled selective molecular recognition of an inosine ligand.
Clay-supported novel bimetallic core–shell Co–Pt and Ni–Pt nanocrystals with high catalytic activities
Authors: Varade Dharmesh , Haraguchi Kazutoshi
Published: October 2014

A novel one-pot strategy for clay-mediated fabrication of bimetallic core–shell nanocrystals (Co–Pt and Ni–Pt) with well-defined shapes and unique catalytic features.
Cyclic six-membered palladium complexes derived from palladium mediated C–N coupling of organonitrile and formamidine
Authors: Gupta Vivek , Karthik Vedhagiri , Anantharaman Ganapathi
Published: October 2014

Synthesis and structural characterizations of neutral, cationic and anionic six-membered palladium complexes obtained through palladium mediated C–N bond coupling between organonitrile and formamidinium salt are reported.
A nuclear chocolate box: the periodic table of nuclear medicine
Authors: Blower Philip J.
Published: October 2014

A survey of the current status and challenges for the use of radionuclides of the elements in nuclear medicine.
Allicin protects spinal cord neurons from glutamate-induced oxidative stress through regulating the heat shock protein 70/inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway
Authors: Liu Shu-Guang , Ren Peng-Yu , Wang Guo-Yu , Yao Shu-Xin , He Xi-Jing
Published: October 2014

We demonstrate that allicin may be used as an effective treatment for spinal cord injury, and that the potential underlying mechanism involves HSP70/iNOS pathway-mediated inhibition of oxidative stress.
Direct ionic liquid extractant injection for volatile chemical analysis – a gas chromatography sampling technique
Authors: Mokhtar S. U. , Chin S.-T. , Vijayaraghavan R. , MacFarlane D. R. , Drummer O. H. , Marriott P. J.
Published: October 2014

Direct GC injection of analytes in IL using a PTV injector retained IL extractant in the injector, with analytes quantitatively transferred to the column.
Selective conversion of furfural to cyclopentanone or cyclopentanol using different preparation methods of Cu–Co catalysts
Authors: Li Xing-Long , Deng Jin , Shi Jing , Pan Tao , Yu Chu-Guo , Xu Hua-Jian , Fu Yao
Published: October 2014

Different Cu–Co catalysts have been developed for the hydrogenation-rearrangement of furfural to cyclopentanone or cyclopentanol.
Design of a 2D no-flow chamber to monitor hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Cambier Théo , Honegger Thibault , Vanneaux Valérie , Berthier Jean , Peyrade David , Blanchoin Laurent , Larghero Jerome , Théry Manuel
Published: October 2014

We designed a very simple 2D array of chambers protected from flow and supplied by a single inlet in order to easily monitor and stain hematopoietic stem cells over long periods of time.
MoS2 exhibits stronger toxicity with increased exfoliation
Authors: Chng Elaine Lay Khim , Sofer Zdeněk , Pumera Martin
Published: October 2014

t-Bu-Li and n-Bu-Li exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets are more cytotoxic than MoS2 exfoliated by Me-Li.
Polymer-protein conjugation via a ‘grafting to’ approach – a comparative study of the performance of protein-reactive RAFT chain transfer agents
Authors: Vanparijs N. , Maji S. , Louage B. , Voorhaar L. , Laplace D. , Zhang Q. , Shi Y. , Hennink W. E. , Hoogenboom R. , De Geest B. G.
Published: October 2014

The performances of various protein-reactive RAFT CTAs to afford polymer-protein conjugation via a grafting-to approach were compared.
Validated assay for the evaluation of multiple glucuronidation activities in human liver microsomes via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Shi Rong , Yang Yuanyuan , Zhong Jie , Wang Tianming , Ma Yueming
Published: October 2014

A faster and more accurate LC-MS/MS method was established for the activity determination of multiple UGT isoforms in HLMs.
Epitaxy-driven vertical growth of single-crystalline cobalt nanowire arrays by chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Kim Si-in , Yoon Hana , Lee Hyoban , Lee Sunghun , Jo Younghun , Lee Sungyul , Choo Jaebum , Kim Bongsoo
Published: October 2014

Ferromagnetic single-crystalline Co nanowires (NWs) aligned in a vertical orientation are epitaxially grown on m-cut sapphire substrates by a rapid and versatile chemical vapor deposition method. They were transformed into Co3O4 nanotubes by thermal annealing under dilute O2 conditions.
Direct synthesis of cobalt nanoparticle-imbedded mesoporous carbons for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrodes
Authors: Chen Ming , Shao Leng-Leng , Qian Xing , Ren Tie-Zhen , Yuan Zhong-Yong
Published: October 2014

Metal Co nanoparticle-imbedded ordered mesoporous carbon materials were synthesized by a facile low-temperature hydrothermal approach, acting as superior electrocatalysts in dye-sensitized solar cells, due to the synergistic catalytic effect and enhanced electroconductivity.
The structure of lipoyl synthase, a remarkable enzyme that performs the last step of an extraordinary biosynthetic pathway
Authors: Cronan John E.
Published: October 2014

Lipoic acid is assembled on its cognate proteins (e.g. the E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase). An octanoyl moiety is transferred from the octanoyl-ACP of fatty acid synthetase to a specific lysine residue of the cognate protein followed by sulfur insertion at C6 and C8 of the octanoyl chain. The challenging chemistry of this last step is performed by the radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme lipoyl synthase (LipA). In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Harmer et al. report the first crystal structure of a lipoyl synthase and demonstrate that it contains two [4Fe–4S] clusters, the canonical radical SAM cluster plus a second auxiliary cluster having an unprecedented serine ligand. The structure provides strong support for the model in which the auxiliary cluster donates the lipoate sulfur atoms.
Exact tracking control of uncertain non‐linear systems with additive disturbance
Authors: Zhang Zhengqiang , Park Ju H. , Shao Hanyong , Qi Zhidong
Published: October 2014

This study deals with adaptive control of non‐linear systems in the strict‐feedback form with parametric uncertainties and additive disturbance. The disturbance in the systems is assumed to be bounded. No knowledge of the uncertain parameters, an upper bound of the uncertain parameter vector, a bound of unknown disturbance and the differentiability of the external disturbance is required. Under the weakened assumptions, two continuous robust adaptive control schemes are proposed. In the first control scheme, a modified adaptive backstepping design procedure is proposed to remove overparameterisation. A novel damping term with the estimate of unknown disturbance bound and a positive time‐varying integral function are introduced in the control law to counteract the destabilising effects of the external disturbance. In the second scheme, an alternative continuous adaptive controller is designed. Instead of the estimate of the disturbance bound, an adaptive parameter is incorporated into the control design. In both of the two control schemes, the design parameters are freely chosen to improve the control performance. It is proved that the proposed two adaptive control schemes can guarantee that the closed‐loop signals are bounded and the output tracking error converges to zero asymptotically in spite of the disturbance. Finally, a numerical example is included to show the effectiveness of the presented control methods.
Estimating the duration of the pelagic phyllosoma phase of the southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Hutton)
Authors: Bradford R. W. , Griffin D. , Bruce B. D.
Published: October 2014

The phyllosoma larva of the southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii, is thought to be among the longest larval phases of any planktonic larva, with estimates in the literature ranging from 12 to 24 months. In the present study, we have used an extensive archive of samples (over 2800 samples with 680 phyllosoma) to refine the estimate of the duration of the pelagic phase. The distribution through the year of larval stages suggested that larvae from two separate spawning events were present in any 12-month period. Using regression analysis, we have estimated the duration of the phyllosoma phase to be 547±47.5 days (~18.2±1.6 months). A new model of J. edwardsii phyllosoma development is presented and compared with data on known hatching and settlement patterns. The new model will improve the paramiterisation of stage-specific biophysical models of larval dispersal and regional connectivity, to better inform management of the southern rock lobster fisheries.
Spatial structuring within a reservoir fish population: implications for management
Authors: Stewart David R. , Long James M. , Shoup Daniel E.
Published: October 2014

Spatial structuring in reservoir fish populations can exist because of environmental gradients, species-specific behaviour, or even localised fishing effort. The present study investigated whether white crappie exhibited evidence of improved population structure where the northern more productive half of a lake is closed to fishing to provide waterfowl hunting opportunities. Population response to angling was modelled for each substock of white crappie (north (protected) and south (unprotected) areas), the entire lake (single-stock model) and by combining simulations of the two independent substock models (additive model). White crappie in the protected area were more abundant, consisting of larger, older individuals, and exhibited a lower total annual mortality rate than in the unprotected area. Population modelling found that fishing mortality rates between 0.1 and 0.3 resulted in sustainable populations (spawning potential ratios (SPR) >0.30). The population in the unprotected area appeared to be more resilient (SPR>0.30) at the higher fishing intensities (0.35–0.55). Considered additively, the whole-lake fishery appeared more resilient than when modelled as a single-panmictic stock. These results provided evidence of spatial structuring in reservoir fish populations, and we recommend model assessments used to guide management decisions should consider those spatial differences in other populations where they exist.
Conidia of the insect pathogenic fungus,
Metarhizium anisopliae
, fail to adhere to mosquito larval cuticle
Authors: Greenfield Bethany P. J. , Lord Alex M. , Dudley Ed , Butt Tariq M.
Published: October 2014

Adhesion of conidia of the insect pathogenic fungus,
Metarhizium
anisopliae
, to the arthropod host cuticle initially involves hydrophobic forces followed by consolidation facilitated by the action of extracellular enzymes and secretion of mucilage. Gene expression analysis and atomic force microscopy were used to directly quantify recognition and adhesion between single conidia of
M. anisopliae
and the cuticle of the aquatic larval stage of
Aedes aegypti
and a representative terrestrial host,
Tenebrio molitor
. Gene expression data indicated recognition by the pathogen of both hosts; however, the forces for adhesion to the mosquito were approximately five times lower than those observed for
Tenebrio
. Although weak forces were recorded in response to
Aedes
,
Metarhizium
was unable to consolidate firm attachment. An analysis of the cuticular composition revealed an absence of long-chain hydrocarbons in
Aedes
larvae which are thought to be required for fungal development on host cuticle. This study provides, to our knowledge, the first evidence that
Metarhizium
does not form firm attachment to
Ae. aegypti
larvae
in situ
, therefore preventing the normal route of invasion and pathogenesis from occuring.
Automated placement of stereotactic injections using a laser scan of the skull
Authors: Henderson Margaret , Pinskiy Vadim , Tolpygo Alexander , Savoia Stephen , Grange Pascal , Mitra Partha
Published: October 2014

Stereotactic targeting is a commonly used technique for performing injections in the brains of mice and other animals. The most common method for targeting stereoscopic injections uses the skull indentations bregma and lambda as reference points and is limited in its precision by factors such as skull curvature and individual variation, as well as an incomplete correspondence between skull landmarks and brain locations. In this software tool, a 3D laser scan of the mouse skull is takenin vitroand registered onto a reference skull using a point cloud matching algorithm, and the parameters of the transformation are used to position a glass pipette to place tracer injections. The software was capable of registering sample skulls with less than 100 micron error, and was able to target an injection in a mouse with error of roughly 500 microns. These results indicate that using skull scan registration has the potential to be widely applicable in automating stereotactic targeting of tracer injections.
Levels of social trust among men from refugee backgrounds after the 2011 Queensland floods
Authors: Correa-Velez Ignacio , McMichael Celia , Conteh Augustine
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between flood exposure and levels of social trust among a cohort of adult men from refugee backgrounds who were affected by the 2011 floods in Queensland, Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative questionnaire was administered to 141 men from refugee backgrounds almost two years after the 2011 Queensland floods. The survey was administered in-person by trained peer interviewers, and included a number of standardized instruments assessing respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, levels of social trust toward and from neighbors, the police, the wider Australian community and the media and exposure to and impact of the floods. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between flood exposure and social trust adjusting for pre-disaster levels of trust and other potentially confounding variables.

Findings

– Participants with higher levels of flood exposure were significantly more likely to report greater levels of trust both toward and from their neighbors, the wider Australian community and the media, and they were also more likely to believe that most people can be trusted.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the study reports on data collected two years after the floods, the analysis has adjusted for pre-disaster measures of social trust and other socio-demographic variables.

Originality/value

– This paper has highlighted the important place of social trust and social capital for refugee communities in a post-disaster setting. Disaster responses that support social capital among marginalized populations are critical to increasing community resilience and supporting recovery.
Enabling organizational learning from rescue operations
Authors: Pilemalm Sofie , Andersson Dennis , Yousefi Mojir Kayvan
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the re-development process of the Swedish Rescue Services Incident Reporting System from an organizational learning perspective with the purpose to suggest what is needed to enable long-term learning from rescue operations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is carried out as a case study relying on interviews, participant observation and workshop methods. The study case is the Swedish Incident Reporting System.

Findings

– The objectives expressed by the central agency leading the studied process aimed at implementing double-loop learning objectives by revising the incident reports and to improve future operations accordingly. In practice this objective was lost along the way, with the agency focussing on cosmetic changes to the report such as terminology, attributes and labels. Meanwhile the local rescue services expressed different and concrete needs, requiring new system functionality, case/experience based learning, process improvements and organizational development. A number of suggestions of such measures are provided by the study, to be used by rescue services and other response organizations.

Originality/value

– The case stands out because the re-development process is driven by one stakeholder, with the ambition to include multiple stakeholders’ needs. The study should be of specific interest to fire rescue services world-wide. However, considering that many tasks, learning and evaluation aspects of rescue operations are similar regardless of type of first responder involved (e.g. in firefighting, traffic accidents, and cardiac arrests), the results are also of interest to emergency management in general.
Incident command training: the introspect model
Authors: Jane Lamb Katherine , Davies Jim , Bowley Richard , Williams John-Paul
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the use of simulation in both the development and assessment of Fire & Rescue Service incident commanders. Continuous development and assessment is required due to a reduction in incident numbers causing skill fade.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper details the development and implementation of the “Introspect model” of assessment by Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (OFRS) over a five-year time-span, and discusses its key findings in line with current decision-making ideologies and principles.

Findings

– The “Introspect model” provides a unique assessment and development tool, which adheres to current national guidelines. It is also an accredited component of incident commander development within OFRS. The authors propose that this model becomes “best practice” for other Fire and Rescue Services.

Practical implications

– The national use of the “Introspect model” will ensure that all incident commanders benefit from understanding the rationale behind their decisions, striving towards a universal state of unconscious competence within incident command nationally on the fire-ground.

Originality/value

– The originality/value of this paper lies in an in-depth analysis of simulation-based software for the development and assessment of incident commanders. This paper is the first to suggest a model of “best practice” regarding the assessment and development of Fire and Rescue Service incident commanders.
Incentives and limits in letters of intent: are they worth the paper they’re written on?
Authors: J.V. Fox Sarah
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the extensive case law in England and Wales on contractually binding letters of intent. The research focused on discovering whether the limits commonly found in binding letters of intent were upheld by the courts and so were effective in practice. It also reviews whether these limits are, as presumed by drafters, sufficient to act as incentives to the parties to conclude the full contract. The paper uses case law to analyse and evaluate the legal and business efficacy of these limits and incentives. It considers the rationale for such limits and incentives before drawing its conclusions and making recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on cases in England and Wales to analyse the judicial interpretation of binding letters of intent. The author has adopted a black letter approach to this subject by focusing almost exclusively on primary sources. As there is no relevant legislation in England and Wales, the primary sources are case law. A limited literature review was adopted, as there is little commentary on this aspect of letters of intent and to ensure the paper’s originality. The paper also considers papers published by the Society for Construction Law.

Findings

– The paper demonstrates that even if the drafting of the letter of intent is clear, it is the conduct of the parties after a letter of intent which prevents the stated limits on work times or cost applying, and undermines these limits in their roles as incentives intended to persuade the parties to conclude the full contract for the project. The terms of the letter of intent are easily ousted and may not be strictly enforced by the courts when a dispute arises.

Practical implications

– The paper concludes with recommendations for ensuring the terms of the commonly used letters of intent provide more effective limits on the liability for the employer while giving the constructor the incentive to continue negotiating and concluding a formal contract for the works. The paper also recommends changes to the guidance to be given to users of standard form letters of intent to improve their efficacy as limited contracts.

Originality/value

– The analysis of the cases is instructive and the recommendations provide valuable pointers for those who draft, review or agree letters of intent. The issues that are dealt with relate to how the parties can be incentivised through clear drafting to execute a more comprehensive contract for the project.