bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the residue function in DSC‐MRI simulations: Analytical approximation to in vivo data
Authors: Mehndiratta Amit , Calamante Fernando , MacIntosh Bradley J. , Crane David E. , Payne Stephen J. , Chappell Michael A.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

An exponential residue function is commonly used in numerical simulations to assess the accuracy of perfusion quantification using dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI. Although this might be a reasonable assumption for normal tissue, microvascular hemodynamics are likely to be significantly altered in pathology. Thus the exponential function may no longer be appropriate and the estimated accuracy of DSC‐MRI quantification might be inappropriate. The purpose of this study was to characterize in vivo residue function variations in normal and infarcted tissue in a chronic atherosclerotic disease cohort, and to find the most appropriate model for use in DSC simulations.

Methods

Residue functions were measured in vivo in patients with atherosclerotic disease using a nonparametric Control Point Interpolation method, which has been shown to provide a robust characterization of the shape of the residue function. The observed residue functions were approximated with five commonly used analytical expressions: exponential, bi‐exponential, Lorentzian, and Fermi functions, and a previously proposed Vascular Model.

Results

The lowest error was found with the bi‐exponential function approximations to the in vivo residue functions from both normal and infarcted tissue.

Conclusion

A bi‐exponential model should therefore be used in future numerical simulations of DSC‐MRI instead of the exponential function. Magn Reson Med 72:1486–1491, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of Donor Priority Strategy on Relationship Fundraising Outcomes
Authors: Boenigk Silke , Scherhag Christian
Published: December 2013

Nonprofit organizations commonly implement donor priority strategies, yet little research has explored the effects of this relationship strategy. Whereas previous research highlighted the positive effects of benefit segmentation and analyzed donor motives to choose a specific donation level, this study investigates the effects of priority benefit perception on relationship factors such as donor satisfaction, donor loyalty, upgrade/downgrade intentions, and voluntary behavior. Based on data from the German cultural sector—804 donors of a friend circle that differentiates two donation levels—the results of the partial least squares path analysis show that donors' perception of priority benefits positively affects donor satisfaction and donor loyalty. The study also shows that a priority strategy negatively influences intentions to downgrade among higher‐prioritized donors and positively enhances intentions to upgrade among lower‐prioritized donors. Applying multigroup comparison the authors find that most relationship effects do not differ significantly across higher‐ and lower‐prioritized donors. This study thereby supports the implementation of donor priority strategy among cultural organizations because of its advantages for developing strong relationships with donors of all levels. Several managerial recommendations are given; for example, managers should better implement only a few instead of a large number of donor levels, should determine carefully which benefits to offer at the different levels, and analyze the donor base in order to identify donors with strong potential for upgrading.
A text messaging‐assisted randomized lifestyle weight loss clinical trial among overweight adults in Beijing
Authors: Lin Pao‐Hwa , Wang Yanfang , Levine Erica , Askew Sandy , Lin Shenting , Chang Cuiqing , Sun Jiani , Foley Perry , Wang Haijun , Li Xu , Bennett Gary G.
Published: December 2013

Objective

The impact of a text messaging‐assisted lifestyle weight loss intervention on weight change among overweight adults in Beijing was examined.

Methods

It was a 6‐month randomized two arm clinical trial. The control group received a brief advice session after randomization. The intervention group received three group sessions, five coaching calls, and a daily text message prompting participants to follow predetermined lifestyle goals.

Results

A total of 123 participants were randomized. At 6 months, controls gained 0.24 ± 0.28 kg (0.21% ± 0.38%) (NS) while intervention participants lost 1.6 ± 0.28 kg (2.31% ± 0.38%) (p < 0.0001). Intervention participants decreased waist circumference (WC) (−2.69 ± 0.43 cm, p < 0.0001), percent body fat (%BF) (−0.66% ± 0.19%, p = 0.0007), and systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) significantly (−1.71 ± 1.12/−3.24 ± 0.87 mmHg), while the controls had no change in WC and %BF and increased SBP/DBP by 2.43 ± 1.14/1.20 ± 0.88 mmHg (between groups: p = 0.01/p = 0.0004).

Conclusions

This text message‐assisted lifestyle intervention was effective in reducing weight, WC, %BF, and improving BP. Coupled with the scalable feature of the intervention, this finding is intriguing in light of the potential reach of the intervention for countries like China where mobile phone penetration is high and the obesity rate continues to rise.
Exercise capacity in adolescent and adult patients with post infectious bronchiolitis obliterans
Authors: Frohlich Luiz Felipe , Vieira Paulo J.C. , Teixeira Paulo José Zimermann , Silva Fernando Abreu , Ribeiro Jorge P. , Berton Danilo C.
Published: December 2013

Background

Post‐infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PBO) is a chronic lung disease characterized by the persistence of continuous obstructive respiratory symptoms following an acute and severe respiratory infection in children under 3 years old. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if adolescents and adults with diagnosis of PBO have reduced aerobic capacity and identify factors related with exercise performance.

Methods

A convenience sample of 16 patients (10–23 years) that have consulted with established diagnosis of PBO in a tertiary care clinic were studied. Fourteen healthy matched subjects were selected from the community to serve as controls. They performed resting lung function tests and cycle incremental cardiopulmonary exercise tests.

Results

Peak aerobic capacity (peak ) was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (84 ± 15 vs. 101 ± 17% pred; P < 0.01). Peak was correlated with rest inspiratory capacity (IC) (r = 0.60; P = 0.02) and marginally with forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (r = 0.45; P = 0.09). Additionally, FEV1 was correlated with IC (r = 0.83; P < 0.01) and residual volume/total lung capacity (r = −0.91, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Adolescent and adult patients with PBO had reduced peak compared to healthy controls. Peak was correlated with parameters of airflow limitation and rest hyperinflation. The greater the air flow limitation (lower FEV1) the greater the hyperinflation, air trapping, and aerobic capacity reduction. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:911–918. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interpreting Migration Through the Prism of Reasons for Moves
Authors: Clark William A. V. , Maas Regan
Published: December 2013

Some interpretations of migration juxtapose jobs and amenities as alternative explanations for migration and regional growth but there is substantial evidence that migrants juggle a more complex set of motivations for migration than simply the attraction of a new job or a nice place to live. Occupational opportunities, family needs, communities, and lifestyles all play competing roles when households decide to move. This has always been true for local moves but appears to be relevant in longer distance moves also. We use data from the Housing, Income, and Labour Dynamics Survey in Australia to unpack the relative role of a wide variety of responses to the question – why did you move. The paper provides evidence that while migration is clearly related to labour market opportunities, non‐economic motivations including family change, lifestyle choices, and housing needs also play powerful roles in long‐distance migration decisions and often come with significant economic benefits. Clearly, jobs matter but it may be that they are the context within which migration occurs rather than simply an adjustment mechanism in the labour market. Survey data confirm that most moves are not generated by jobs per se, and the distribution of gains varies considerably by gender and reason for moves. Overall, this research emphasises the complexity of modern migration decisions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasmall Fe3O4 Nanoparticle/MoS2 Nanosheet Composites with Superior Performances for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Yu , Song Bohang , Tang Xiaosheng , Lu Li , Xue Junmin
Published: December 2013

A novel composite consisting of graphene‐like MoS2 nanosheets and ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles (≈3.5 nm) is synthesized as an anode for lithium ion battery application. In such composite anode, MoS2 nanosheets provide flexible substrates for the nanoparticle decoration, accommodating the volume changes of Fe3O4 during cycling process; while Fe3O4 nanoparticles primarily act as spacers to stabilize the composite structure, making the active surfaces of MoS2 nanosheets accessible for electrolyte penetration during charge/discharge processes. Owing to the high reversible capacity provided by the MoS2 nanosheets and the superior high rate performance offered by ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles, superior cyclic and rate performances are achieved by Fe3O4/MoS2 anode during the subsequent electrochemical tests, delivering 1033 and 224 mAh g−1 at current densities of 2000 and 10 000 mA g−1, respectively.
miRNA sponges: soaking up miRNAs for regulation of gene expression
Authors: Bak Rasmus O. , Mikkelsen Jacob Giehm
Published: December 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that act in an entangled web of interactions with target mRNAs to shape the cellular protein landscape by post‐transcriptional control of mRNA decay and translation. miRNAs are themselves subject to numerous regulatory mechanisms that adjust their prevalence and activity. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are themselves targeted by regulatory RNA species, and the identification of several classes of noncoding RNA molecules carrying miRNA binding sites has added a new intricate dimension to miRNA regulation. Such miRNA ‘sponges’ bind miRNAs and competitively sequester them from their natural targets. Endogenous miRNA sponges, also termed competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), act to buffer the activity of miRNAs on physiologically relevant targets. This class of sponges includes endogenously transcribed pseudogenes, long noncoding RNAs, and recently discovered circular RNAs and may act in large complex networks in conjunction with miRNAs to regulate the output of protein. With the growing demand of regulating miRNA activity for experimental purposes and potential future clinical use, naturally occurring miRNA sponges are providing inspiration for engineering of gene vector‐encoded sponges as potent inhibitors of miRNA activity. Combined with potent and versatile vector technologies, expression of custom‐designed sponges provides new means of managing miRNAs and soaking up miRNAs for therapeutic regulation of gene expression.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule–RNA Interactions

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs

RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells
Use of urinary biomarkers of ovarian function and altrenogest supplementation to enhance captive breeding success in the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
Authors: Stoops Monica A. , West Gary D. , Roth Terri L. , Lung Nancy P.
Published: December 2013

Urinary hormone analysis was conducted on two adult female Indian rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis) that exhibited minimal or no estrual behaviors traditionally used to time breeding. Urine was collected throughout two consecutive estrous cycles to establish preliminary data on each individual's pattern and concentration of estrogen conjugates (EC) and progesterone metabolites (PdG) during follicular and luteal phases. Following preliminary endocrine analysis, urine samples were shipped on a frequent basis to verify when each female was off baseline in EC. Estrus and breeding dates were then predicted. Females were introduced to fresh male rhinoceros fecal samples daily throughout the follicular phase to potentially stimulate estrous behaviors. Despite successful assessment of follicular phase dynamics, females sometimes failed to exhibit estrus. Both females conceived following mating introductions that were timed using hormone analysis. Pregnancy was diagnosed either by endocrine analysis or rectal ultrasonography. Progestational support (altrenogest) occurred after pregnancy confirmation and varied for each female (21 and 66 days post‐breeding). One female experienced early pregnancy loss and the other successfully completed a term pregnancy. These results demonstrate that a science based management strategy that relies on urinary biomarkers of ovarian function can facilitate naturally breeding captive Indian rhinoceroses. Zoo Biol. 33:83–88, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Located in the Isthmus or Upper Third is Associated with Delphian Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Chai Young Jun , Kim Su‐jin , Choi June Young , Koo Do Hoon , Lee Kyu Eun , Youn Yeo‐Kyu
Published: December 2013

Background

Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis is a recognized indicator of further lymph node involvement in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of and risk factors for DLN metastasis.

Methods

The medical records of 1,436 patients who underwent primary thyroidectomy for classical PTC with a tumor size of 2 cm or less were reviewed. Of these, 370 patients from whom the DLN was harvested were enrolled. Metastasis in DLN was present in 46 patients and absent in 324 patients. Clinicopathological features were compared according to DLN metastasis.

Results

In univariate analysis, DLN metastasis was associated with suspected lymph node metastasis on preoperative ultrasonography, tumor location in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid, larger tumor size, extrathyroid extension, lymphovascular invasion, and further lymph node metastasis. Multivariable analysis revealed that DLN metastasis was associated with tumor location in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid (odds ratio [OR] = 2.420; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.193–4.910) and further lymph node metastasis (OR = 4.746; 95 % CI 2.065–10.908).

Conclusions

DLN metastasis in PTC is associated with tumor location in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid and unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics. Careful consideration and patient management are warranted when preoperative ultrasonography indicates that the tumor is located in the isthmus or upper third of the thyroid.
Surgical Management of Intraabdominal Metastases From Melanoma: Role of the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Potential Prognostic Factor
Authors: Cananzi Ferdinando C. M. , Dalgleish Angus , Mudan Satvinder
Published: December 2013

Background

The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of surgery in the management of patients with intraabdominal metastases from melanoma and to investigate the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as prognostic factor in this group of patients.

Methods

Altogether, 44 patients who underwent surgery for Intraabdominal metastases from melanoma with curative, cytoreductive, or palliative intent were analyzed.

Results

There were 77 intraabdominal organ resections performed during the 44 operations. R0 resection was achieved in 19 (43 %) cases. Factors associated with R0 resection were an absence of extra‐abdominal metastases, low serum lactate dehydrogenase, involvement of fewer than three sites, and the presence of fewer than three metastatic lesions. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survival rates were, respectively, 79, 66, and 44 % in the curative intent group; 36, 18, and 9 % in the cytoreduction group; and 21, 0 and 0 % in the palliation group (curative intent vs. cytoreduction vs. palliation p < 0.001). By Cox’s multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic factors were time from excision of primary melanoma to the diagnosis of intraabdominal metastases, NLR, and residual disease after surgery.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the usefulness of major surgical interventions as reported in previous studies. We reviewed recent evidence that immunologic phenomena may explain the unexpectedly good response rate in patients with advanced disease. The simple estimation of the NLR has been advocated as a prognostic marker for several cancers. We show that it is likewise useful in metastatic melanoma. We stress the need for developing additional immunologic markers.
Adaptation in a hybrid world with multiple interaction types: a new mechanism for species coexistence
Authors: Mougi Akihiko , Kondoh Michio
Published: December 2013

In ecological communities, numerous species coexist and affect each others’ population levels via various types of interspecific interactions. Previous ecological theory explaining multispecies coexistence tended to focus on a single interaction type, such as antagonism, competition, or mutualism, and its consequences on population dynamics. Hence, it remains unclear what, if any, contribution multiple coexisting interaction types have on the multispecies coexistence. Here, we show that the coexistence of multiple interaction types can be essential for multispecies coexistence. We present a simple model in which the exploiter and mutualist adaptively switch between two competing resource species. An adaptive mutualist, which favors the more abundant species, provides a mechanism of majority‐advantage and, thus, potentially inhibits the coexistence of resource species. In the absence of an exploiter, an adaptive mutualist leads to competitive exclusion at the resource species level. However, the coexistence of an adaptive exploiter and a mutualist allows the coexistence of all species in the community, because the mutualist‐mediated “winner” tends to be suppressed by the adaptive exploiter. The mutualist indirectly increases the abundance of the exploiter through mutualistic interactions, thereby indirectly supporting this coexistence mechanism. In fact, coexistence may occur even if the exploiter or mutualist alone cannot mediate the coexistence of two resources. We conclude that the coexistence of mutualism and antagonism may be the key to the persistence of the four‐species module in the presence of adaptive switching.
Outcomes after Repair of Subacute-To-Chronic Grade III Metacarpophalangeal Joint Collateral Ligament Injuries in Fingers are Suboptimal
Authors: Wong Justin C. , Lutsky Kevin F. , Beredjiklian Pedro K.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

Although injury to the collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) of the fingers is less common than corresponding injuries in the thumb, similar disability may result from chronic untreated injuries. We evaluated injury characteristics and the outcome after primary repair of subacute to chronic grade III collateral ligament injuries of the MPJs of the fingers.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent primary repair of a finger MPJ collateral ligament over a 3-year period. Twenty-five digits in 23 patients with subacute to chronic injuries were identified, all of which had complete MPJ collateral ligament tear. Postoperatively, we assessed disability using DASH scores and evaluated joint stability, range of motion, and grip strength. These measures were compared to preoperative data to assess results. Post hoc analysis was used to compare the level of disability between index and small radial collateral ligaments and other finger CL injuries.

Results

Intraoperative findings revealed complete tears in all cases and all ligaments were of sufficient quality to permit primary repair using a suture anchor. The average preoperative DASH score was 40 (range 17–77) in 7 patients (nine fingers) where this was available. Postoperative DASH scores were available in 19 patients (21 fingers). The average postoperative DASH score was 19 (range 0–65). In the subgroup of patients with preoperative and postoperative DASH scores, there was no statistically significant difference after surgery (preop DASH 39.1 vs. postop DASH 23.8, p =0.17). The average grip strength as a percentage of the contralateral hand was 68 % (range 32–100 %). The average postoperative MPJ arc of motion was 75° (range 50–90°). Post hoc analysis showed statistically significant higher postoperative DASH scores among small finger RCL repairs compared to other finger CL repairs ( p =0.007).

Discussion

Primary repair of complete MPJ collateral ligament injuries of the fingers may be performed in the subacute to chronic setting. Although joint stability was restored, patients continued to have decreased grip strength and residual disability.
Sovereign Wealth Funds and Global Justice
Authors: Armstrong Chris
Published: December 2013

Dozens of countries have established Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) in the last decade or so, in the majority of cases employing those funds to manage the large revenues gained from selling resources such as oil and gas on a tide of rapidly rising commodity prices. These funds have raised a series of ethical questions, including just how the money contained in such funds should eventually be spent. This article engages with that question, and specifically seeks to connect debates on SWFs with debates onglobaljustice. Just how good are national claims to the great wealth contained in SWFs in the first place? Using the example of Norway's very large SWF – derived from selling North-Sea petroleum – I show that national claims are at least sometimes very weak, with the implication that the wealth in many such funds is ripe for redistribution in the interests of global justice. I conclude by offering some guidance for how the money contained in such funds could best be spent, with the goal of advancing global justice.
The evaluation of developmental enamel defects and dental treatment conditions in a group of Turkish children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Cantekin Kenan , Gumus Husniye , Torun Yasemin A. , Sahin Hakan
Published: December 2013

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine developmental enamel defects and dental treatment conditions in children with congenital heart disease by comparing them with a control group of healthy children. Methods: Children included in the study were referred to a paediatric dentistry for dental examination and treatment after undergoing routine examination in a paediatric clinic. Results: The congenital heart disease group included 72 children and the control group included 56 healthy children. Children in the age group of 3–14 years were included in this study. The mean age of the congenital heart disease group and control group was 6.24±2.85 and 6.73±3.01, respectively. The mean values of the decayed, missing, and filled indices for primary and permanent teeth in the congenital heart disease group were 2.80±3.77 and 0.81±1.63, respectively. In the control group, the values were 1.87±3.31 and 0.72±1.46, respectively. The care score for primary teeth was 3.6% in the congenital heart disease group and 13.3% in the control group. The enamel defect was detected in at least one permanent tooth in seven out of 72 children (9.7%) in the congenital heart disease group and in three out of 56 children (5.3%) in the control group. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in the development of dental caries or the prevalence of enamel defects between children with congenital heart disease and healthy children, the care score was low in children with congenital heart disease. In addition, children with congenital heart disease had a higher rate of pulled primary teeth and delayed treatment of decayed teeth.
Visual Motion Processing and Visual Sensorimotor Control in Autism
Authors: Takarae Yukari , Luna Beatriz , Minshew Nancy J. , Sweeney John A.
Published: December 2013

Impairments in visual motion perception and use of visual motion information to guide behavior have been reported in autism, but the brain alterations underlying these abnormalities are not well characterized. We performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies to investigate neural correlates of impairments related to visual motion processing. Sixteen high-functioning individuals with autism and 14 age and IQ-matched typically developing individuals completed two fMRI tasks using passive viewing to examine bottom–up responses to visual motion and visual pursuit tracking to assess top–down modulation of visual motion processing during sensorimotor control. The autism group showed greater activation and faster hemodynamic decay in V5 during the passive viewing task and reduced frontal and V5 activation during visual pursuit. The observations of increased V5 activation and its faster decay during passive viewing suggest alterations in local V5 circuitries that may be associated with reduced GABAergic tone and inhibitory modulation. Reduced frontal and V5 activation during active pursuit suggest reduced top–down modulation of sensory processing. These results suggest that both local intrinsic abnormalities in V5 and more widely distributed network level abnormalities are associated with visual motion processing in autism. (JINS, 2014, 20, 113–122)
Phosphorescence of the polymorphs of 4-bromobenzophenone
Authors: Zloba D. I. , Buravtseva L. M. , Pyshkin O. S. , Strzhemechny M. A.
Published: December 2013

Integrated and time resolved phosphorescence spectra of the monoclinic (M-form) and triclinic (T-form) polymorphs of 4-bromobenzophenone are measured at temperatures of 293, 77, and 1.6 K. The parameters of the damping kinetics of the most important bands are determined. At room temperature the integrated spectra of both polymorphs have a distinct monomeric structure with extremely close energies of the band maxima. At 77 K the integrated spectra of both polymorphs still have a monomer structure and close decay times for the 0-0 band, but bands of another monomeric series which is significantly shifted relative to the more intense main series are also observed. The decay times for the 0-0 bands of the polymorphs are close at 77 K, as opposed to room temperature, where this band decays three times more slowly in the T polymorph. The overall shape of the integrated spectra for both polymorphs at 1.6 K is also monomeric, but the shapes of the 0-0 bands have large, significant differences. Based on data on the structure of the polymorphs, a one-dimensional model is proposed and the corresponding triplet exciton spectra are calculated assuming close coupling. These calculations imply that the exciton band width Δ is four times wider in the T-form than in the M-form. Thus, the coefficient of tunnel diffusion (which is proportional to Δ2) should be an order of magnitude higher in the T-form than in the M-form. A comparative analysis of the integrated phosphorescence spectra at 1.6 K indicates that diffusion is considerably more efficient in the T-form, in agreement with the qualitative conclusions of our theory.
The phenomenological theory of magnetization relaxation (Review Article)
Authors: Baryakhtar V. G. , Danilevich A. G.
Published: December 2013

The review is devoted to systematic description of results on relaxation of magnetization in magnetically ordered crystals previously obtained by the authors. The ideas of the phenomenological theory of magnetism formulated by Landau and Lifshitz are analyzed. A general method of constructing the dissipation function for both magnetically ordered systems and paramagnets is described. In the case of magnetically ordered systems the dissipation of exchange and relativistic nature is considered. It is found that for constructing the dissipation function it is necessary to take into account not only the symmetry of a crystal, but also the laws of conservation of magnetization. It is shown that in the case of a ferromagnet, the ground state is characterized by a continuous degeneracy parameter; the Landau-Lifshitz relaxation term gives qualitatively incorrect results (abnormally large attenuation of spin waves). According to the proposed method the spectra of spin waves and their attenuation were calculated and analyzed for ferromagnets with uniaxial, tetragonal and cubic symmetry as well as for two-sublattice uniaxial ferrites. It was found that the relaxation of the magnetization vector has a two-step character in ferromagnets and a multistep character in ferrites. In ferrites, the fastest process is the relaxation of length of the antiferromagnetic vector. It is shown that this relaxation is caused by the exchange interaction between sublattices of a ferrite and is enhanced by the exchange interactions within the sublattices. The relaxation of the total magnetization of a ferrite is much slower and, as in the case of a simple ferromagnet, is described by non-uniform exchange interactions and relativistic interactions. The results obtained are in a good agreement with recent experimental data.
Determination of hydrogen cluster velocities and comparison with numerical calculations
Authors: Täschner A. , Köhler E. , Ortjohann H.-W. , Khoukaz A.
Published: December 2013

The use of powerful hydrogen cluster jet targets in storage ring experiments led to the need of precise data on the mean cluster velocity as function of the stagnation temperature and pressure for the determination of the volume density of the target beams. For this purpose a large data set of hydrogen cluster velocity distributions and mean velocities was measured at a high density hydrogen cluster jet target using a trumpet shaped nozzle. The measurements have been performed at pressures above and below the critical pressure and for a broad range of temperatures relevant for target operation, e.g., at storage ring experiments. The used experimental method is described which allows for the velocity measurement of single clusters using a time-of-flight technique. Since this method is rather time-consuming and these measurements are typically interfering negatively with storage ring experiments, a method for a precise calculation of these mean velocities was needed. For this, the determined mean cluster velocities are compared with model calculations based on an isentropic one-dimensional van der Waals gas. Based on the obtained data and the presented numerical calculations, a new method has been developed which allows to predict the mean cluster velocities with an accuracy of about 5%. For this two cut-off parameters defining positions inside the nozzle are introduced, which can be determined for a given nozzle by only two velocity measurements.
A hybrid stochastic-deconvolution model for large-eddy simulation of particle-laden flow
Authors: Michałek W. R. , Kuerten J. G. M. , Zeegers J. C. H. , Liew R. , Pozorski J. , Geurts B. J.
Published: December 2013

We develop a hybrid model for large-eddy simulation of particle-laden turbulent flow, which is a combination of the approximate deconvolution model for the resolved scales and a stochastic model for the sub-grid scales. The stochastic model incorporates a priori results of direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow, which showed that the parameters in the stochastic model are quite independent of Reynolds and Stokes number. In order to correctly predict the flux of particles towards the walls an extra term should be included in the stochastic model, which corresponds to the term related to the well-mixed condition in Langevin models for particle dispersion in inhomogeneous turbulent flow. The model predictions are compared with results of direct numerical simulation of channel flow at a frictional Reynolds number of 950. The inclusion of the stochastic forcing is shown to yield a significant improvement over the approximate deconvolution model for the particles alone when combined with a Stokes dependent weight-factor for the well-mixed term.
Structural transformations in amorphous ↔ crystalline phase change of Ga-Sb alloys
Authors: Edwards T. G. , Hung I. , Gan Z. , Kalkan B. , Raoux S. , Sen S.
Published: December 2013

Ga-Sb alloys with compositions ranging between ∼12 and 50 at. % Ga are promising materials for phase change random access memory applications. The short-range structures of two such alloys with compositions Ga14Sb86 and Ga46Sb54 are investigated, in their amorphous and crystalline states, using 71Ga and 121Sb nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction. The Ga and Sb atoms are fourfold coordinated in the as-deposited amorphous Ga46Sb54 with nearly 40% of the constituent atoms being involved in Ga-Ga and Sb-Sb homopolar bonding. This necessitates extensive bond switching and elimination of homopolar bonds during crystallization. On the other hand, Ga and Sb atoms are all threefold coordinated in the as-deposited amorphous Ga14Sb86. Crystallization of this material involves phase separation of GaSb domains in Sb matrix and a concomitant increase in the Ga coordination number from 3 to 4. Results from crystallization kinetics experiments suggest that the melt-quenching results in the elimination of structural “defects” such as the homopolar bonds and threefold coordinated Ga atoms in the amorphous phases of these alloys, thereby rendering them structurally more similar to the corresponding crystalline states compared to the as-deposited amorphous phases.
Direct current-self-sustained non-ambipolar plasma at low pressure
Authors: Chen Zhiying , Chen Lee , Funk Merritt
Published: December 2013

For decades, non-ambipolar diffusion has been observed and studied in laboratory plasmas that contain a double layer. However, self-sustained non-ambipolar plasma has yet to be demonstrated. This article reports the method and results for achieving such a condition at low pressure, with a wide power range (as low as 6 W). The findings reveal that to achieve self-sustained non-ambipolar plasma, both the balance between electron and ion heating and the space-potential gradient are critical. The plasma reactor developed in this work has potential applications that include microelectronic surface processing and space propulsion, via space-charge-neutral plasma-beam thruster, when operated in the high power regime.
Configurational Information in Face Perception
Authors: Young Andrew W , Hellawell Deborah , Hay Dennis C
Published: December 2013

A new facial composites technique is demonstrated, in which photographs of the top and bottom halves of different familiar faces fuse to form unfamiliar faces when aligned with each other. The perception of a novel configuration in such composite stimuli is sufficiently convincing to interfere with identification of the constituent parts (experiment 1), but this effect disappears when stimuli are inverted (experiment 2). Difficulty in identifying the parts of upright composites is found even for stimuli made from parts of unfamiliar faces that have only ever been encountered as face fragments (experiment 3). An equivalent effect is found for composites made from internal and external facial features of well-known people (experiment 4). These findings demonstrate the importance of configurational information in face perception, and that configurations are only properly perceived in upright faces.
Comparison of 3 Severity Criteria for Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Gomez-Simmonds Angela , Kubin Christine J. , Furuya E. Yoko
Published: December 2013

Effective severity criteria are needed to guide management of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). In this retrospective study, outcomes were compared between patients with mild-moderate versus severe CDI according to 3 different severity criteria: those included in the 2010 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines, those from a recent clinical trial, and our hospital-specific guidelines.
BiPACE 2D—graph-based multiple alignment for comprehensive 2D gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Hoffmann Nils , Wilhelm Mathias , Doebbe Anja , Niehaus Karsten , Stoye Jens
Published: December 2013

Motivation: Comprehensive 2D gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is an established method for the analysis of complex mixtures in analytical chemistry and metabolomics. It produces large amounts of data that require semiautomatic, but preferably automatic handling. This involves the location of significant signals (peaks) and their matching and alignment across different measurements. To date, there exist only a few openly available algorithms for the retention time alignment of peaks originating from such experiments that scale well with increasing sample and peak numbers, while providing reliable alignment results.

Results: We describe BiPACE 2D, an automated algorithm for retention time alignment of peaks from 2D gas chromatography-mass spectrometry experiments and evaluate it on three previously published datasets against the mSPA, SWPA and Guineu algorithms. We also provide a fourth dataset from an experiment studying the H2 production of two different strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that is available from the MetaboLights database together with the experimental protocol, peak-detection results and manually curated multiple peak alignment for future comparability with newly developed algorithms.

Availability and implementation: BiPACE 2D is contained in the freely available Maltcms framework, version 1.3, hosted at http://maltcms.sf.net, under the terms of the L-GPL v3 or Eclipse Open Source licenses. The software used for the evaluation along with the underlying datasets is available at the same location. The C.reinhardtii dataset is freely available at http://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/MTBLS37.

Contact: nils.hoffmann@cebitec.uni-bielefeld.de or jens.stoye@uni-bielefeld.de

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Acinetobacter qingfengensis sp. nov., isolated from canker bark of Populus × euramericana
Authors: Li Yong , He Wei , Wang Tao , Piao Chun-gen , Guo Li-min , Chang Ju-pu , Guo Min-wei , Xie Shou-jiang
Published: December 2013

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strains, 2BJ1T and 2C-3-1, were isolated from canker bark of Populus × euramericana collected from different locations in Puyang City, Henan Province, China. The two strains were characterized using nutritional and physiological testing and DNA sequence analysis. They were found to produce acid from d-glucose. Haemolysis was not observed on agar medium supplemented with sheep erythrocytes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, rpoB and gyrB gene sequences revealed that the strains formed a distinct cluster with 100 % bootstrap support within the genus

Acinetobacter

in all phylogenetic trees. The phenotypic characteristics most useful for the differentiation of the two strains from other species of the genus

Acinetobacter

were their ability to grow at 41 °C and to assimilate malonate, phenylacetate and trigonelline. Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the two strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Acinetobacter

, for which the name Acinetobacter qingfengensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2BJ1T ( = CFCC 10890T = KCTC 32225T).
Undibacterium macrobrachii sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater shrimp culture pond
Authors: Sheu Shih-Yi , Lin Yang-Shun , Chen Jhen-Ci , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: December 2013

A bacterial strain designated CMJ-9T was isolated from a freshwater shrimp culture pond in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain CMJ-9T were strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, motile by a single polar flagellum, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-containing and formed light-yellow colonies. Growth occurred at 10–37 °C (optimum, 20–30 °C), with 0–0.8 % NaCl (optimum, 0–0.1 %) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 6.0–7.0). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CMJ-9T belonged to the genus

Undibacterium

, and its closest neighbour was Undibacterium seohonense SHS5-24T, with 96.7 % sequence similarity. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The major cellular hydroxy fatty acid was C10 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of the predominant lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The polyamine profile was composed of the major compound putrescine and moderate amounts of 2-hydroxyputrescine. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the DNA G+C content was 47.7 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain CMJ-9T should be classified within a novel species, for which the name Undibacterium macrobrachii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CMJ-9T ( = BCRC 80406T = LMG 26891T = KCTC 23916T).
Two distinct types of neuronal asymmetries are controlled by the Caenorhabditis elegans zinc finger transcription factor die-1
Authors: Cochella Luisa , Tursun Baris , Hsieh Yi-Wen , Galindo Samantha , Johnston Robert J. , Chuang Chiou-Fen , Hobert Oliver
Published: December 2013

Left/right asymmetric features of animals are either randomly distributed on either the left or right side within a population (“antisymmetries”) or found stereotypically on one particular side of an animal (“directional asymmetries”). Both types of asymmetries can be found in nervous systems, but whether the regulatory programs that establish these asymmetries share any mechanistic features is not known. We describe here an unprecedented molecular link between these two types of asymmetries in Caenorhabditis elegans. The zinc finger transcription factor die-1 is expressed in a directionally asymmetric manner in the gustatory neuron pair ASE left (ASEL) and ASE right (ASER), while it is expressed in an antisymmetric manner in the olfactory neuron pair AWC left (AWCL) and AWC right (AWCR). Asymmetric die-1 expression is controlled in a fundamentally distinct manner in these two neuron pairs. Importantly, asymmetric die-1 expression controls the directionally asymmetric expression of gustatory receptor proteins in the ASE neurons and the antisymmetric expression of olfactory receptor proteins in the AWC neurons. These asymmetries serve to increase the ability of the animal to discriminate distinct chemosensory inputs.
Nonconvergence in Bayesian estimation of migration rates
Authors: Meirmans Patrick G.
Published: December 2013

The estimation of migration rates using molecular markers is an important aspect of many population genetic studies. Several different methods are available for estimating migration, but most of these make multiple limiting assumptions. One method that is relatively free from assumptions is bayesass, which uses assignment methods in a Bayesian framework. However, when tested using simulated data, this method was found to have problems with the convergence of the Markov chain Monte Carlo. Here, I perform a literature study to test whether these convergence problems are also present when bayesass is used to estimate migration rates from empirical data. A review of 100 studies that have used bayesass shows that this is indeed the case. The estimated proportions of nonmigrants were mostly either close to 2/3 or 1, indicating that the MCMC tends to get trapped near the bounds of the prior distribution. In addition, I found that the quality of the inference was negatively affected by the number of sampled populations, but increased with increasing numbers of sampled individuals and with the strength of the population structure as measured by FST. Based on these results, I give several recommendations that should help to reduce problems when using bayesass with empirical data. Most importantly, I argue that researchers should be more realistic about inferences of migration rates and that bayesass will give optimal results only when the experiment has been especially designed around its use.
Irrigation water productivity in Cambodian rice systems
Authors: Wokker Christopher , Santos Paulo , Bansok Ros
Published: December 2013

Knowledge of the marginal productivity of water is crucial for decisions about its allocation between uses, which is particularly important in the context of increasing competition for water. Using primary, plot‐level panel data, this article estimates the marginal productivity of water from supplementary irrigation in lowland rice systems in Cambodia, taking into account farmer and plot heterogeneity as well as self‐selection of supplementary irrigation. Our estimates indicate a range of elasticities for rice output with respect to water inputs of between 0.057 and 0.069 for wet season production, substantially lower than previous estimates based on either aggregate or trial data. We discuss the policy implications of these results, in particular with respect to the utility of demand management policies and the challenges they pose to the decentralization of water management to Farmer Water Users Groups.
Imperfect Replacement of Native Species by Non‐Native Species as Pollinators of Endemic Hawaiian Plants
Authors: ASLAN CLARE E. , ZAVALETA ERIKA S. , TERSHY BERNIE , CROLL DON , ROBICHAUX ROBERT H.
Published: December 2013

Native plant species that have lost their mutualist partners may require non‐native pollinators or seed dispersers to maintain reproduction. When natives are highly specialized, however, it appears doubtful that introduced generalists will partner effectively with them. We used visitation observations and pollination treatments (experimental manipulations of pollen transfer) to examine relationships between the introduced, generalist Japanese White‐eye (Zosterops japonicus) and 3 endemic Hawaiian plant species (Clermontia parviflora, C. montis‐loa, and C. hawaiiensis). These plants are characterized by curved, tubular flowers, apparently adapted for pollination by curve‐billed Hawaiian honeycreepers. Z. japonicus were responsible for over 80% of visits to flowers of the small‐flowered C. parviflora and the midsize‐flowered C. montis‐loa. Z. japonicus‐visited flowers set significantly more seed than did bagged flowers. Z. japonicus also demonstrated the potential to act as an occasional Clermontia seed disperser, although ground‐based frugivory by non‐native mammals likely dominates seed dispersal. The large‐flowered C. hawaiiensis received no visitation by any birds during observations. Unmanipulated and bagged C. hawaiiensis flowers set similar numbers of seeds. Direct examination of Z. japonicus and Clermontia morphologies suggests a mismatch between Z. japonicus bill morphology and C. hawaiiensis flower morphology. In combination, our results suggest that Z. japonicus has established an effective pollination relationship with C. parviflora and C. montis‐loa and that the large flowers of C. hawaiiensis preclude effective visitation by Z. japonicus.

Remplazo Imperfecto de Especies Nativas por Especies No‐Nativas como Polinizadores de Plantas Endémicas de Hawaii
The Impact of Tobacco Policy Reforms on Smallholder Prices in Malawi
Authors: Mkwara Bentry , Marsh Dan
Published: December 2013

Two key questions are addressed in this article. (i) Have Malawi's tobacco‐policy reforms led to improvements in the absolute prices that smallholders get? (ii) How do the prices that smallholders receive compare with what the rich estate owners get? Empirical results indicate that the reforms have led to some improvements in both absolute and relative prices that smallholder farmers receive. Major positive changes in the tobacco price‐structure have occurred after removing monopsony and liberalising the market. However, farmers, especially smallholders, are still faced with high transaction and logistics costs that need to be addressed.