bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating free school fruit: results from a natural experiment in Norway with representative data
Authors: Øvrum Arnstein , Bere Elling
Published: September 2013

Objective

To assess impacts of the nationwide Norwegian School Fruit Scheme (NSFS) using nationally representative data.

Design

The NSFS is organized such that primary-school children (grades 1–7) are randomly assigned to one of three school fruit arrangements: (i) the child receives one free fruit or vegetable per day; (ii) the child is given the option to subscribe to one fruit or vegetable per day at a subsidized price; and (iii) the child attends a school that has no school fruit arrangement.

Setting

Data from an Internet survey are used to compare child and parental fruit and vegetable intakes across the three NSFS groups focusing mainly on groups (i) and (iii). The analysis was conducted using multivariate regression techniques.

Subjects

Parents of primary-school children (n 1423) who report on behalf of themselves and their children.

Results

Children who receive free school fruit eat on average 0·36 more fruit portions daily – or 25·0 % more fruits – than children who attend schools with no fruit arrangement (P < 0·001). Moreover, parents of children who receive free school fruit eat on average 0·19 more fruit portions daily – or 12·5 % more fruits – than parents of children who attend schools with no fruit arrangement (P = 0·040). No significant associations were found between the NSFS and the vegetable intakes of children and their parents.

Conclusions

The study shows, using nationally representative data, that free school fruit is associated with increased child fruit intake and that it may also affect parental fruit intake.
Assessment of Psychopathy in Austria
Authors: Mokros Andreas , Habermeyer Elmar , Neumann Craig S. , Schilling Frank , Hare Robert D. , Eher Reinhard
Published: September 2013

The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is a clinician rating instrument for psychopathic personality disorder. Although the instrument is routinely used in forensic assessment in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, data on its psychometric properties in German-speaking countries are lacking. Based on a national sample of adult male sexual offenders assessed at a federal evaluation unit in Austria (N = 1,046), reliability and factor structure were estimated. More specifically, measurement invariance was assessed with respect to the North American normative data of male offenders. In the sample, the PCL-R achieved similar levels of reliability as those reported in the manual for North American male offenders. According to confirmatory factor analysis, a four-factor model of psychopathy described the data well. More specifically, weak measurement invariance (i.e., equivalence of loadings, not of thresholds) held in comparison with the North American data. The present findings support the suitability of the PCL-R for assessment purposes in German-speaking countries. However, the total score is not directly comparable to North American data given that only weak measurement invariance was observed.
A novel protecting group methodology for syntheses using nitroxides
Authors: Chalmers Benjamin A. , Morris Jason C. , Fairfull-Smith Kathryn E. , Grainger Richard S. , Bottle Steven E.
Published: September 2013

Protecting a nitroxide as the methyl ether is highly effective. It can be de-protected in good yield using a peracid.
Biomass combustion for electric power: Allocation and plant siting using non-linear modeling and mixed integer optimization
Authors: Kennedy Smith Robert , Hobbs Benjamin F.
Published: September 2013

Electricity generation from the combustion of biomass feedstocks provides low-carbon energy that is not as geographically constricted as other renewable technologies. This study uses non-linear programming to provide policymakers with scenarios of possible sources of biomass for power generation as well as locations and types of electricity generation facilities utilizing biomass. The scenarios are obtained by combining the output from existing agricultural optimization models with a non-linear mathematical program that calculates the least-cost ways of meeting an assumed biomass electricity standard. The non-linear program considers region-specific cultivation and transportation costs of biomass fuels as well as the costs of building and operating both coal plants capable of co-firing biomass and new dedicated biomass combustion power plants. The results of the model provide geographically detailed power plant allocation patterns that minimize the total cost of meeting the generation requirements, which are varying proportions of total U.S. electric power generation, under the assumptions made. The amount of each cost component comprising the objective functions of the various requirements are discussed, and the results show that approximately two-thirds of the total cost of meeting a biomass electricity standard occurs on the farms and forests that produce the biomass. Plant capital costs and biomass transportation costs comprise the largest share of the remaining costs. The most important policy conclusion is that biomass use in power plants will require significant subsidies, perhaps as much as half of their cost, if they are to achieve significant penetrations in U.S. electricity markets.
Dependence of the conduction regimes of discontinuous magnetic tunnel junctions on clusters' volume and tunnel resistance
Authors: Ciudad D.
Published: September 2013

In a previous work [Phys. Rev. B 85, 214408 (2012)], the conductance and the tunneling magnetoresistance in discontinuous high anisotropy magnetic tunnel junctions was experimentally studied. Different conduction regimes (sequential tunneling, co-tunneling, Kondo effect, and direct tunneling) and gradual transitions between them were found as a function of the temperature and the size of the clusters within the barrier. A simple theoretical model was suggested able to account for the experimental results even assuming no dispersion of the distribution of the size of the clusters. Here, we study, within this theoretical framework, the effect of the volume of the clusters within the barrier, and the effect of the thickness of the insulating barrier (or the tunnel resistance), on the transition between Kondo effect and co-tunneling regime. Clarifying the role of both parameters is of importance to understand and experimentally control the transition between the different conduction regimes.
Development of an integrated sensor module for a non-invasive respiratory monitoring system
Authors: Kang Seok-Won , Chang Keun-Shik
Published: September 2013

A respiratory monitoring system has been developed for analyzing the carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) concentrations in the expired air using gas sensors. The data can be used to estimate some medical conditions, including diffusion capability of the lung membrane, oxygen uptake, and carbon dioxide output. For this purpose, a 3-way valve derived from a servomotor was developed, which operates synchronously with human respiratory signals. In particular, the breath analysis system includes an integrated sensor module for valve control, data acquisition through the O2 and CO2 sensors, and respiratory rate monitoring, as well as software dedicated to analysis of respiratory gasses. In addition, an approximation technique for experimental data based on Haar-wavelet-based decomposition is explored to remove noise as well as to reduce the file size of data for long-term monitoring.
Influence of confinement on thermodiffusion
Authors: Hannaoui Rachid , Galliero Guillaume , Hoang Hai , Boned Christian
Published: September 2013

This work focuses on a possible influence of a nanoporous medium on the thermodiffusion of a fluid “isotopic” mixture. To do so, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of confined Lennard-Jones binary equimolar mixtures using grand-canonical like and non-equilibrium approaches in sub- and super-critical conditions. The study was conducted in atomistic slit pore of three adsorbent natures for various widths (from 5 to 35 times the size of a molecule). The simulation results indicate that for all thermodynamic conditions and whatever the pore characteristics, the confinement has a negligible effect on the thermal diffusion factor/Soret coefficient. However, when considered separately, the mass diffusion and thermodiffusion coefficients have been found to be largely influenced by the pore characteristics. These two coefficients decrease noticeably when adsorption is stronger and pore width smaller, a behavior that is consistent with a simple hydrodynamic explanation.
Asymptotic equivalence of the shell-model and local-density descriptions of Coulombic systems confined by radially symmetric potentials in two and three dimensions
Authors: Cioslowski Jerzy , Albin Joanna
Published: September 2013

Asymptotic equivalence of the shell-model and local-density (LDA) descriptions of Coulombic systems confined by radially symmetric potentials in two and three dimensions is demonstrated. Tight upper bounds to the numerical constants that enter the LDA expressions for the Madelung energy are derived and found to differ by less than 0.5% from the previously known approximate values. Thanks to the variational nature of the shell-model approximate energies, asymptotic expressions for other properties, such as mean radial positions of the particles and number densities, are also obtained. A conjecture that generalizes the present results to confining potentials with arbitrary symmetries is formulated.
Core-softened fluids as a model for water and the hydrophobic effect
Authors: Huš Matej , Urbic Tomaz
Published: September 2013

An interaction model with core-softened potential in three dimensions was studied by Monte Carlo computer simulations and integral equation theory. We investigated the possibility that a fluid with a core-softened potential can reproduce anomalies found experimentally in liquid water, such as the density anomaly, the minimum in the isothermal compressibility as a function of temperature, and others. Critical points of the fluid were also determined. We provided additional arguments that the old notion, postulating that only angular-dependent interactions result in density anomaly, is incorrect. We showed that potential with two characteristic distances is sufficient for the system to exhibit water-like behavior and anomalies, including the famous density maximum. We also found that this model can properly describe the hydrophobic effect.
Improved generation of ion fluxes by a long laser pulse using laser-induced cavity pressure acceleration
Authors: Badziak J. , Parys P. , Rosiński M. , Krousky E. , Ullschmied J. , Torrisi L.
Published: September 2013

Generation of ion fluxes in the laser-induced cavity pressure acceleration (LICPA) scheme is investigated by the time-of-flight method and compared with the one in the conventional laser-planar target interaction scheme. It is shown that the ion current density and intensity of the ion flux produced in the LICPA scheme from CD2 foil target irradiated by a 0.3-ns laser pulse of intensity ∼1014–1015 W/cm2 are by an order of magnitude higher and the mean and maximum ion energies by a factor 4–5 higher than those for the conventional scheme.
Observation of microscopic damage accumulation in brittle solids subjected to dynamic compressive loading
Authors: Huang S. , Xia K. , Zheng H.
Published: September 2013

Dynamic failure of brittle materials is a fundamental physical problem that has significantly impacts to many science and engineering disciplines. As the first and the most important step towards the full understanding of this problem, one has to observe dynamic damage accumulation in brittle solids. In this work, we proposed a methodology to do that and demonstrated it by studying the dynamic compressive damage evolution of a granitic rock loaded with a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar system. To ensure consistency of the experimental results, we used cylindrical rock samples fabricated from the same rock core and subjected them to identical incident loading pulse. Using a special soft recovery technique, we stopped the dynamic loading on the samples at different strain levels, ranging from 0.3% to 1.4%. Therefore, we were able to recover intact samples loaded all the way to the post-peak deformation stage. The recovered samples were subsequently examined with X-ray micro-CT scanning machine. Three dimensional microcrack network induced by the dynamic loading was observed and the evolution of microcracks as a function of the dynamic loading strain was obtained.
Rarefaction windows in a high-power impulse magnetron sputtering plasma
Authors: Palmucci Maria , Britun Nikolay , Konstantinidis Stephanos , Snyders Rony
Published: September 2013

The velocity distribution function of the sputtered particles in the direction parallel to the planar magnetron cathode is studied by spatially- and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a short-duration (20 μs) high-power impulse magnetron sputtering discharge. The experimental evidence for the neutral and ionized sputtered particles to have a constant (saturated) velocity at the end of the plasma on-time is demonstrated. The velocity component parallel to the target surface reaches the values of about 5 km/s for Ti atoms and ions, which is higher that the values typically measured in the direct current sputtering discharges before. The results point out on the presence of a strong gas rarefaction significantly reducing the sputtered particles energy dissipation during a certain time interval at the end of the plasma pulse, referred to as “rarefaction window” in this work. The obtained results agree with and essentially clarify the dynamics of HiPIMS discharge studied during the plasma off-time previously in the work: N. Britun, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 131504 (2011).
First-order spin reorientation transition and specific-heat anomaly in CeFeO3
Authors: Yuan S. J. , Cao Y. M. , Li L. , Qi T. F. , Cao S. X. , Zhang J. C. , DeLong L. E. , Cao G.
Published: September 2013

We report the successful synthesis of single-phase polycrystalline CeFeO3, and a thorough study of its magnetic and thermal properties. An abrupt spin reorientation transition occurs at T = 240 K, indicating a first-order phase transition from Γ4 (Gx, Ay, Fz) to Γ1 (Ax, Gy, Cz). A distinct thermal anomaly in the specific heat due to spin reorientation has been detected, with the onset and completion of the spin reorientation at 240 K and 220 K, respectively. The low-temperature specific heat exhibits a Schottky anomaly caused by paramagnetic Ce3+. The very-low-temperature specific heat increases with increasing the applied magnetic field, suggesting an antiferromagnetic transition of Ce3+ exists below T = 1.8 K.
Dramatic enhancement of low electric-field hole mobility in metal source/drain Ge p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors by introduction of Al and Hf into SiO2/GeO2 gate stack
Authors: Yamamoto Keisuke , Sada Takahiro , Wang Dong , Nakashima Hiroshi
Published: September 2013

Ge p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are fabricated using HfGe metal source/drain contacts and an Al/SiO2/GeO2 gate stack. Following postmetallization annealing at 400 °C, the MOSFET shows peak field-effect mobility (μh) of 336 cm2/Vs. Insertion of a Hf layer between the Al and SiO2 layers increases the peak μh to 919 cm2/Vs, which is associated with a positive shift of threshold voltage. We propose a model involving compensation of positive interface trapped and oxide fixed charges by negative oxide fixed charges introduced by Al and Hf in the gate stack. This leads to a decrease in Coulomb scattering, dramatically enhancing mobility.
High-temperature tantalum tungsten alloy photonic crystals: Stability, optical properties, and fabrication
Authors: Stelmakh V. , Rinnerbauer V. , Geil R. D. , Aimone P. R. , Senkevich J. J. , Joannopoulos J. D. , Soljačić M. , Celanovic I.
Published: September 2013

We demonstrate tantalum-tungsten (Ta-W) solid solution alloy photonic crystals (PhCs) as spectrally selective components for high temperature energy conversion. The thermo-mechanical properties of the alloy are tuned by the Ta-W ratio. A 2D PhC was designed as a selective emitter, fabricated on a Ta3%W substrate, and optical properties and thermal stability were characterized. A thin layer of HfO2 was deposited for thermal stability. The PhCs show outstanding emittance selectivity, well preserved after annealing for 24h at 1200 °C. The structure is preserved as shown in cross-sectional images, demonstrating that the coating effectively prevents degradation due to surface diffusion at high temperatures.
Large acoustic thermal hysteresis in relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3
Authors: Tsukada Shinya , Kim Tae Hyun , Kojima Seiji
Published: September 2013

The diffuse phase transition in relaxor-based 0.93Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.07PbTiO3 ferroelectric single crystals is studied by observing the large thermal hysteresis over 100 K of the longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon. By observing this hysteresis in the LA phonon frequency with different temperature-cycles, it is concluded that nonequilibrium states are induced by supercooling. Relaxor ferroelectrics easily go supercooling, because they demonstrate structural hierarchy like glass-forming materials. The inhomogeneous structure disrupts sharp phase transitions, revealing diffuse phase transition on cooling. However, annealing at low temperatures reduces the inhomogeneity markedly. These interpretations are consistent with LA phonon behavior under electric fields, which reduce the inhomogeneity.
Giant rotary power of a fishnet-like metamaterial
Authors: Wang Shengxiang , Garet Frédéric , Lheurette Éric , Astic Magali , Coutaz Jean-Louis , Lippens Didier
Published: September 2013

We show experimentally and numerically that cholesteric-type metal-dielectric structures, made of twisted sub-wavelength hole elliptical–shaped arrays, exhibit strong optical activity and circular dichroism. The experimental demonstration is carried out with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurements on a three layered structure operating around 0.5 THz, leading to a rotary power as high as 1000°/wavelength. The contribution of the chirality factor (κ), permittivity (ɛ), and permeability (μ) is discussed after the retrieval of effective parameters from the complex scattering ones.
Synthesis and formation process of Al2CuHx: A new class of interstitial aluminum-based alloy hydride
Authors: Saitoh Hiroyuki , Takagi Shigeyuki , Endo Naruki , Machida Akihiko , Aoki Katsutoshi , Orimo Shin-ichi , Katayama Yoshinori
Published: September 2013

Aluminum-based alloy hydride Al2CuHx (x ∼ 1) is synthesized by hydrogenating Al2Cu alloy using high-temperature and high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere. Al8Cu square antiprisms in Al2Cu twist around the c axis of a tetragonal unit cell by hydrogenation. The twist enlarges the interstitial spaces for accommodating hydrogen atoms which align linearly parallel to the c axis in Al2CuHx. Thermodynamic stability of Al2CuHx results from the balance of stabilization by H 1s and Al 3sp hybridization and destabilization owing to the Fermi-level lifting upon hydrogenation. The crystal and electronic structures of Al2CuHx illustrate the formation of an interstitial hydride of aluminum-based alloy.
Active control of surface forces via nanopore structures
Authors: Kim Sunghan , Polycarpou Andreas A. , Liang Hong
Published: September 2013

Understanding the effects of electrical potential on nanoscale contacts is critically needed for design and development of nanodevices. In the present letter, we characterize the metallic nanopore structure of nickel using an atomic force microscope. The morphology, phase distribution, and tribological behavior were studied under an applied electrical potential. It was found that the increase in electrical potential resulted in reduction of friction and pull-off force (adhesion), which is attributed to the real contact area change. Results indicated that the nanoporous structured Ni enables the control of friction and adhesion, which is beneficial for the design of nanoelectromechanical systems.
Resonance properties of bi-component arrays of magnetic dots magnetized perpendicular to their planes
Authors: Kostylev Mikhail , Zhong Shudan , Ding Junjia , Adeyeye Adekunle O.
Published: September 2013

The spin wave spectrum of dense arrays of rectangular elements periodically arranged in a two-dimensional magnonic crystal with a complex unit cell and magnetized perpendicularly to the array plane has been characterized using broadband ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy. The crystal's unit cell consists of non-collinear orientations of constituting elongated rectangular elements. We found that only one mode is excited in the perpendicular-to-plane FMR in complete magnetic saturation. We also conducted out-of-plane angle resolved measurements of the FMR resonance field. We observe splitting of the singlet observed for the perfect perpendicular-to-plane orientation of the applied field into a doublet upon a tilt of the field from this orientation. The splitting of the singlet into a doublet is explained as an experimental evidence of dipole coupling of the elements on the arrays. Our experimental observations are in good agreement with the theory we developed to describe the magnetization dynamics on this periodic array.
Understanding on coercivity behavior of M-type strontium hexaferrite through thin-film experiment and micromagnetic modeling
Authors: Kang Young-Min , Lee Jehyun , Jae Kang Young , Park Jong-Bong , Il Kim Sang , Mock Lee Sang , Ahn Kyunghan
Published: September 2013

We report on the magnetization reversal and coercivity behavior of M-type strontium hexaferrite (SrM) granular structure through thin-film experiment and micromagnetic simulation. We found that with decreasing film thickness (t), the coercivity increases gradually to its maximum of 5.2 kOe at t = 200 nm, turns to decrease at t > 100 nm, and then it decreases rather rapidly at t < 100 nm. In this work, we have determined the origin of this phenomenon and the reason of reduction in coercivity at t < 100 nm, accompanied by a sudden film morphology change from granular to plate or rod shapes, is attributed to the surface crystalline defects of the film, which is fully confirmed by micromagnetic modeling. The relationship between coercivity and film thickness should be correlated with that between coercivity and grain size in bulk SrM.
Fabrication of high anti-reflection nanowires on silicon using two-stage metal-assisted etching
Authors: Liu Hsi-Chien , Wang Gou-Jen
Published: September 2013

In this paper, a novel two-stage metal-assisted etching (MAE) method is proposed for the fabrication of a high anti-reflection silicon nanowire array. In the first stage of etching, a high-concentration etchant is implemented in a short etching time to enable the uniform and complete deposition of coniferous-like silver on the wafer surface. Following the first stage, a low-concentration etchant for producing a vertical and uniform silicon nanowire array is processed in a relatively long etching time. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed two-stage MAE method can produce high anti-reflection silicon nanowire array on a 6" silicon wafer requiring only a relatively simple and low-cost process. The P-type high-resistance silicon wafer that is etched under the two-stage MAE with the first-stage and second-stage processing time of 30 s and 15 min, respectively, can achieve an average reflectivity of 1.89% for the light spectrum from 200 nm to 1000 nm. In the UV and visible-light regions, the average reflectivity is 1.49% and 1.89%, respectively. The low reflectivity in the UV region enables the absorption of high-energy photons, while the low reflectivity at the IR region allows the absorption of a significant number of photons from sunlight.
Investigating different passive methods for enhancement of low voltage ride through capability of Doubly Fed Induction Generator
Authors: Saberi Sajjad , Karrari Mehdi
Published: September 2013

In recent years with the increasing use of wind generators in power systems, the issue of keeping these generators stable and maintaining their connection to the network in the presence of fault or voltage sag has gained a great importance. In this paper some enhancement methods for the low voltage ride through of Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG), including Crowbar resistance, Rotor series limiter, and Stator damping resistor, are introduced, and then the advantages and disadvantages of each method will be discussed using simulation results. Simulations have been performed by MATLAB/Simulink software.
Neighborhood Collective Efficacy and Dimensions of Diversity: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Mennis Jeremy , Dayanim Suzanne Lashner , Grunwald Heidi
Published: September 2013

Collective efficacy is becoming an increasingly important concept within the social and health sciences as researchers question how the social environment of a neighborhood influences a host of individual psychological, behavioral, and health outcomes. We investigate whether ethnic as well as other dimensions of neighborhood-level diversity are associated with collective efficacy. Survey data are used to capture perceptions of neighborhood cooperation and social cohesion for 26 344 survey respondents in southeast Pennsylvania; US Census data are used to capture neighborhood concentrated disadvantage and residential mobility, as well as diversity along a range of dimensions, including ethnicity, birthplace, household type, occupation, income, and educational attainment. Multilevel modeling is employed to test the association of various dimensions of neighborhood diversity with individual-level perceptions of neighborhood cooperation and social cohesion, while controlling for individual and other neighborhood-level variables. Results suggest that low collective efficacy is associated with diversity in cultural characteristics such as ethnicity, birthplace, and household type. We ascribe these findings to patterns of neighborhood transition, or churning, where high rates of neighborhood in-migration and out-migration act to weaken collective efficacy. Diversity, both in educational attainment and in income, however, are associated with high neighborhood collective efficacy, and are not related to neighborhood churning.
Using Synthetic Variables in Instrumental Variable Estimation of Spatial Series Models
Authors: Le Gallo Julie , Páez Antonio
Published: September 2013

Identification of suitable instruments is a critical step for the implementation of instrumental variable (IV) estimation. A challenge is that, as the level of correlation between the instruments and the endogenous variable increases, so also do the chances that the instruments themselves will be correlated with the error terms. Contrariwise, when the correlation with the endogenous variable is low, the instruments may be weak and perform poorly. The objective of this paper is to explore the use of synthetic variables in IV estimation when the analysis is of spatial data series. The point of departure is the use of eigenvector analysis of the usual spatial weights matrix used in spatial statistics. Eigenvectors obtained from a transformed weights matrix are known to represent latent map patterns. Our proposal is to use these patterns to obtain synthetic variables for use as instruments in IV estimation. By their very nature, instruments based on synthetic variables are exogenous. Furthermore, they can provide relatively high levels of correlation with the endogenous variable. In this paper we consider two situations of interest: First, the case where there are no clear candidates for instrumentation and the instruments are comprised of purely synthetic variables; second, the case when there are substantive but weak instruments that can be enhanced by the addition of synthetic variables. The approach proposed is illustrated with an empirical example.
The Emergence of an Alternative Milieu: Conceptualising the Nature of Alternative Places
Authors: Longhurst Noel
Published: September 2013

This paper introduces the concept of an alternative milieu in order to provide a more thorough account of the nature and development of ‘alternative’ places. It argues that such places have been generally neglected within geography, and that where they have been the object of research it is usually through a narrow conceptual lens. It is argued that the concept of an alternative milieu provides three analytical benefits. Firstly, it highlights the diversity of alterity within a given locality, a factor that is obscured by simplistic place images or narrower analytical frames. Secondly, it emphasises the significance of geographically fixed institutions in the formation of alternative places. Thirdly, it provides an anchor concept around which the processes that lead to the formation of alternative places can be orientated. The utility of the concept is illustrated through a case study of the emergence of an alternative milieu around the market town of Totnes in the United Kingdom.
Fragment Screening on Staphylococcus aureus HPPK – a Folate Pathway Target
Authors: Chhabra Sandeep , Dolezal Olan , Hattarki Meghan , Peat Thomas S. , Simpson Jamie S. , Swarbrick James D.
Published: September 2013

An NMR-based screen of a commercially available fragment library was performed on the folate pathway antimicrobial target, 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase from Staphylococcus aureus (SaHPPK). Initial 1D saturation transfer difference-NMR screening resulted in an impractically high hit rate (43 %), which advocated the use of a strategy based on 2D (SOFAST) 15N HMQC NMR experiments. Chemical shift perturbations were used to identify, validate, and map the location of 16 initial binders (hit rate of 2 %). Fourteen compounds were purchased based on an identified thioamide pharmacophore. Binding affinities (Kd) were measured by surface plasmon resonance, revealing a modest improvement in potency over the initial 16 hits, with the best fragment found to bind to the apo enzyme with a Kd of 420 µM, corresponding to a ligand efficiency of 1.8 kJ/heavy atom. Four fragments identified represent useful starting points for the generation of leads that may ultimately be developed into new antimicrobial agents.
Probing of the pH-Dependent Redox Mechanism of a Biologically Active Compound, 5,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione
Authors: Munir Shamsa , Shah Afzal , Rana Usman Ali , Shakir Imran , Zia-ur-Rehman  , Shah Syed Mujtaba
Published: September 2013

The redox behaviour of a potential anticancer organic compound, 5,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione (DND), was investigated in 1 : 1 buffered aqueous ethanol using cyclic, differential pulse, and square wave voltammetry. The redox processes were found to occur in a pH-dependent diffusion-controlled manner. Presence of an α-hydroxyl group stabilised semiquinone radical of DND, formed by the gain of 1 e– and 1 H+, prevented the second step reduction, which is in contrast to the general mechanism previously reported for quinines in protic and aprotic media. In addition, our results supported an independent oxidation and reduction process. Square wave voltammetry provided evidence about the reversible and quasi-reversible nature of oxidation and reduction peaks. Based on the voltammetric results, the electrode reaction mechanism of DND was proposed. Parameters including pKa, transfer coefficient, diffusion coefficient, and electron transfer rate constant were evaluated. The values of pKa obtained from cyclic voltammetry and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy not only agreed with each other, but also with reported values of structurally related compounds evaluated by other techniques.
Genetic homogeneity and historical expansions of the slipper lobster, Scyllarides brasiliensis, in the south-west Atlantic
Authors: Rodríguez-Rey Ghennie T. , Solé-Cava Antonio M. , Lazoski Cristiano
Published: September 2013

Management strategies for fisheries species require understanding their connectivity and population dynamics. The Brazilian slipper lobster, Scyllarides brasiliensis, is one of the most commercially important slipper lobster species in South America. We investigated, for the first time, the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of this species. Analyses of sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) and the control region (CR) did not reveal any significant genetic structure of S. brasiliensis (N = 202) along 2700 km of the Atlantic coast (COI: ΦST = 0.0004, ΦCT = 0–0.005, P > 0.05; CR: ΦST = 0.004, ΦCT = 0–0.029, P > 0.05). The genetic homogeneity found suggests high levels of gene flow along the area that are possibly related to the high dispersal potential of the planktonic larvae of the species. Furthermore, the data indicate that demographic and geographical expansions of this slipper lobster population have occurred during the late and middle Pleistocene, which could be related to the fluctuating environmental conditions of that period.
A test of large-scale reproductive migration in females of the amphidromous shrimp Macrobrachium acanthurus (Caridea : Palaemonidae) from south-eastern Brazil
Authors: Bertini Giovana , Baeza J. Antonio , Perez Eduardo
Published: September 2013

Macrobrachium acanthurus inhabits estuaries and rivers in the western Atlantic. It is not clear whether females migrate towards estuaries to hatch larvae, as reported for other congeneric shrimps. We tested whether females of M. acanthurus exhibit reproductive migrations. The population dynamics of this shrimp was studied in the Ribeira de Iguape River, Brazil. Four sites that differ in position with respect to the coast were sampled monthly during 2007. In M. acanthurus, reproduction was seasonal and reproductive intensity did not vary among study sites. Females brooding early and late embryos were found at all study sites during the reproductive season. No disappearance of reproductive females was observed at the study site located furthest away (~150 km) from the coast. Thus, reproductive females of M. acanthurus do not exhibit reproductive migrations towards estuaries to hatch larvae. Maturity in females was reached at smaller body sizes during the austral summer and spring compared with winter and autumn. Growth rate and body size was sex-specific; males grew slower but attained larger average and final body sizes than females. This information needs to be considered in assessing stocks and establishing sustainable management plans for M. acanthurus in Brazil.
Quantitative genetic parameters for body traits at different ages in a cultured stock of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) selected for fast growth
Authors: Hung Dinh , Nguyen Nguyen Hong , Hurwood David A. , Mather Peter B.
Published: September 2013

The aim of the current study was to estimate heritabilities and correlations for body traits at different ages (Weeks 10 and 18 after stocking) in a giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) population selected for fast growth rate in Vietnam. The dataset consisted of 4650 body records (2432 and 2218 records collected at Weeks 10 and 18, respectively) in the full pedigree comprising a total of 18 387 records. Variance and covariance components were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood fitting a multi-trait animal model. Estimates of heritability for body traits (bodyweight, body length, cephalothorax length, abdominal length, cephalothorax width and abdominal width) were moderate and ranged from 0.06 to 0.11 and from 0.11 to 0.22 at Weeks 10 and 18, respectively. Body-trait heritabilities estimated at Week 10 were not significantly lower than at Week 18. Genetic correlations between body traits within age and genetic correlations for body traits between ages were generally high. Our results suggested that selection for high growth rate in GFP can be undertaken successfully before full market size has been reached.
STING-IRF3 pathway links endoplasmic reticulum stress with hepatocyte apoptosis in early alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Petrasek Jan , Iracheta-Vellve Arvin , Csak Timea , Satishchandran Abhishek , Kodys Karen , Kurt-Jones Evelyn A. , Fitzgerald Katherine A. , Szabo Gyongyi
Published: September 2013

Significance

This paper provides previously undescribed evidence that STING, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein involved in DNA sensing, couples ER stress with apoptotic signaling in alcoholic liver disease. The proapoptotic role of STING is mediated by the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and this is independent of inflammation or Type-I interferons. Activation of STING and IRF3, originally reported in the context of antiviral response, determines survival of hepatocytes in early alcoholic liver disease suggesting that innate immunity regulates hepatocyte pathophysiology independent of inflammation.
Superior induction and maintenance of protective CD8 T cells in mice infected with mouse cytomegalovirus vector expressing RAE-1γ
Authors: Tršan Tihana , Busche Andreas , Abram Maja , Wensveen Felix M. , Lemmermann Niels A. , Arapović Maja , Babić Marina , Tomić Adriana , Golemac Mijo , Brinkmann Melanie M. , Jäger Wiebke , Oxenius Annette , Polić Bojan , Krmpotić Astrid , Messerle Martin , Jonjić Stipan
Published: September 2013

Significance

There are a number of pathogens for which the immunity acquired postinfection does not fully protect against reinfection and disease. Therefore, vaccines offering superior protection compared with the protection following natural infection are needed. Due to a unique pattern of immune response induced by cytomegaloviruses (CMVs), live attenuated CMVs are attractive candidates for vaccine vectors. Here we have demonstrated that a recombinant CMV vector expressing RAE-1γ, a cellular ligand for activating NKG2D receptor expressed on several types of immune cells, has tremendous potential for subverting viral immunoevasion and enhancing the efficiency of the CD8 T-cell response against vectored antigens. This study demonstrates a significant new approach in designing T-cell–based vaccine vectors.
Nonverbal intimacy as a benchmark for human–robot interaction
Authors: Lee Billy
Published: September 2013

Studies of human–human interactions indicate that relational dimensions, which are largely nonverbal, include intimacy/involvement, status/control, and emotional valence. This paper devises codes from a study of couples and strangers which may be behavior-mapped on to next generation android bodies. The codes provide act specifications for a possible benchmark of nonverbal intimacy in human–robot interaction. The appropriateness of emotionally intimate behaviors for androids is considered. The design and utility of the android counselor/psychotherapist is explored, whose body is equipped with semi-autonomous visceral and behavioral capacities for ‘doing intimacy.’
Historical perspectives and domestication.
Authors: Bazile D. , Fuentes F. , Mujica Á.
Published: September 2013

This chapter describes the domestication and geographical distribution of Chenopodium spp., with emphasis on C. quinoa. The correlation between human settlements and agriculture development is mentioned. An overview of quinoa breeding using a variety of wild relatives is presented, and the degree of genetic diversity in this crop as a result of genetic improvement efforts is described.
Distribution.
Authors: Bhargava A. , Srivastava S.
Published: September 2013

This chapter presents the distribution of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) in the Andean Region, South America (Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina and Colombia), Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. The performance of quinoa in these regions is described, and an overview of research on quinoa in these areas is provided.
Stress tolerance.
Authors: Bhargava A. , Srivastava S.
Published: September 2013

This chapter describes the effects of salinity, drought, cold and other abiotic stresses on the growth and yield of Chenopodium quinoa, and discusses the mechanisms of resistance in this crop to these stresses.
Climate change: no consensus on consensus.
Authors: Curry J. A. , Webster P. J.
Published: September 2013

This essay explores the history and consequences of scientific consensus building activities by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the topic of dangerous anthropogenic climate change. A broad view of consensus is provided in the context of the philosophy of science and the social and psychological issues that contribute to bias. The role of scientific consensus in policy making is discussed. An overview is provided of critiques of the IPCC consensus process. A summary of recommendations is provided aimed at improving the interface between climate science and policy in ways that can support decision making associated with growing implications of 'messy wickedness' of the climate change problem.
Soil food web controls on nitrogen mineralization are influenced by agricultural practices in humid temperate climates.
Authors: Whalen J. K. , Kernecker M. L. , Thomas B. W. , Sachdeva V. , Ngosong C.
Published: September 2013

Agricultural crop production depends upon judicious use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers to sustain yields. Globally, the N recovery rate by crops is about 60%, meaning that the rest of the N applied to agroecosystems is transformed to forms that are not available for crop uptake or are lost to the environment. Considering that part of the soil N supplied to crops comes from biological N
2
fixation and mineralization of soil organic N, quantifying these contributions could reduce our reliance on exogenous N inputs. This review examined how the microbially mediated reactions of N mineralization and nitrification contribute to the soil N supply, and biotic controls on these reactions in the soil food web. Potential N mineralization by heterotrophic bacteria and fungi can exceed 10% of the total soil N per year, and ammonium released by mineralization is rapidly transformed to nitrate through the action of chemoautotrophic ammonia oxidizers (bacteria and archaea) followed by heterotrophic and chemoautotrophic nitriflers (bacteria and fungi). Predation of these micro-organisms, primarily by soil microfauna, accounts for additional release of ammonium, estimated at 32-38% of the annual N mineralization. Soil meso- and macro-fauna also contribute to N mineralization and nitrification by accelerating the decomposition of organic substrates and modifying the soil habitat in ways that favour microbial activity. Tillage, application of organic amendments and improving soil drainage in humid temperate regions should favour N mineralization and nitrification processes in soil food web, whereas agrochemical use is expected to have a negligible effect. In summary, the soil food web contribution to N mineralization needs to be included in the soil N supply concept, which requires the development of field-based measurements and models of the soil N supply.
From the margins to the mainstream: Community restorative justice in northern ireland
Authors: Knox Colin
Published: September 2013

Paramilitary organisations exerted a stranglehold on working class loyalist and republican communities in Northern Ireland during the conflict there. In the absence of an effective and legitimate policing service, paramilitaries developed an alternative ‘justice’ system in which they ‘punished’ those accused of committing crimes against the community. They adopted a punitive system of control which included threats or warnings, public humiliation, curfew, exiling, beatings and shootings. This article traces the evolution of this system from illegal paramilitary ‘policing’ through to restorative justice schemes offering non-violent alternatives to community crime, which, over time, have become a recognised part of the formal criminal justice system. Specifically, it examines the role that a series of evaluations had on influencing this transformation. At the very least, policy evaluation informed the political debate and provided evidence to move restorative justice from illegal activities to an integral part of the criminal justice system.
Landmines and Livelihoods in Afghanistan: Evaluating the Benefits of Mine Action
Authors: Paterson Ted , Pound Barry , Ziaee Abdul Qudous
Published: September 2013

Mine action started in Afghanistan and, globally, has grown into a billion-dollar endeavour. On most measures, Afghanistan remains the world's largest mine action programme, which has performed admirably in terms of delivering outputs such as square metres cleared and devices destroyed. But less is known about when and how mine action enhances the well-being of people in mine-affected communities. This article outlines how the Sustainable Livelihoods approach has been used to provide a better understanding of the benefits of mine action, and how capacities have been developed to conduct future evaluations without dependence on international specialists, reducing both costs and risks.
‘If They can't do any Good, They shouldn't Come’: Northern Evaluators in Southern Realities
Authors: Jayawickrama Janaka
Published: September 2013

Based on research and evaluation experiences from Sri Lanka, Malawi, Sudan and Pakistan, this paper reflects on critical implications of ethics at local level. Providing various examples, the paper invites the reader to think through solutions to their own questions and challenges in the realm of evaluation ethics. Further, this paper examines the ethics of evaluation through the lens of the author's own experiences as a researcher and evaluator, which is shaped by his particular positionality and by what he has learnt working in the space within and between the European university system and violently divided communities. From this standpoint, this paper has managed to distinguish some of the central challenges to evaluators working in violently divided communities.
Transapical Valve-in-Valve-in-Ring for Stenotic Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Dahle Gry , Rein Kjell-Arne , Jönsson Anders L.
Published: September 2013

A 53-year-old woman, previously treated with irradiation and chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, was referred for redovalve surgery. She had had a pacemaker implantation and undergone coronary bypass surgery, mitral valve repair with a Carpentier-Edwards 28-mm Physio-annuloplasty ring, as well as a mechanical tricuspid valve replacement and a transfemoral CoreValve 26-mm implantation. She had cardiac cachexia, pleura effusion, and a failed mitral valve repair with stenosis. She was judged inoperable for open surgery but suitable for a transapical valve-in-valve implantation on partial femorofemoral bypass. A 26-mm Edwards SAPIEN XT aortic valve inversely mounted on the Ascendra + delivery catheter was balloon expanded into the Physio ring. During expansion, the introducer sheath remained too deep into the left ventricle and rotated the SAPIEN valve upward to the left atrium, creating the onset of a new mitral regurgitation and retaining the stenosis. Another Edwards SAPIEN XT 26-mm valve was then positioned into the first valve in a “valve-in-valve-in-ring” tandem configuration. Both valves were supported by the Physio ring. The stenosis and the regurgitation were thereafter eliminated.