bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and study of fully biodegradable composite materials based on poly(butylene succinate) and hemp fibers or hemp shives
Authors: Terzopoulou Zoi N. , Papageorgiou George Z. , Papadopoulou Elektra , Athanassiadou Eleftheria , Reinders Mark , Bikiaris Dimitrios N.
Published: August 2014

The use of natural fibers to reinforce polymers is an established practice, and biocomposites have gained an increased interest in areas such as automotive, construction, and agriculture. The purpose of the present work was the preparation and study of fully biodegradable (“green”) composite materials using poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) as polymeric matrix and hemp fibers and shives as fillers. Composites containing 15, 30, 50, 60, and 70 wt% of fillers were prepared by melt mixing in a twin screw extruder. The composites were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimeter while the dispersion and interfacial adhesion were studied with scanning electron microscopy. From mechanical properties measurements, it was found that tensile and impact strength are both affected by the type and the amount of the used filler. The degree of crystallinity of PBSu was found to decrease by increasing the filler content, although that both fillers can act as nucleating agents. Finally, the degradation rate during enzymatic hydrolysis and soil burial increased in all biocomposites by increasing the filler content. PBSu/hemp shive composites showed higher biodegradation rates than PBSu/hemp fiber composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:407–421, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Facile preparation of magnetic nanocrystals using amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers as unimolecular nanoreactors and magnetofection in vitro
Authors: Shi Yunfeng , Wu Zhifu , Weng Xiaofang , Yang Xiaoyun , Zhou Jiazhen , Wang Shuxia , Ma Minghui , Zhao Junhong , Liu Leilei , Du Jimin
Published: August 2014

A new strategy for the preparation of Fe3O4 nanocrystals (NCs) and FePt bimetal NCs with amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers as unimolecular nanoreactors has been described. The amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers were synthesized by grafting methyl acrylate to hyperbranched poly(ethylenimine)s (HPEI) with the help of Michael addition reaction. The hydrophilic HPEI core was used to stabilize the magnetic NCs, whereas the hydrophobic methyl ester terminals can prevent the aggregation of polymers and NCs, thus magnetic NCs with a narrow size distribution were prepared. The resulting Fe3O4 NC/amphiphilic hyperbranched polymer nanocomposites also showed slightly better magnetofection property than HPEI transfection and their luciferase expression level in maximum was 1.3‐fold greater than that for HPEI transfection. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:429–434, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Block copolymers in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Two new approaches: Copolymer aggregates as reductants and stabilizers and simultaneous formation of copolymer aggregates and gold nanoparticles
Authors: Leiva Angel , Fuentes Irma , Bossel Esteban , Urzúa Marcela , Méndez Maximiliano , Pino Maximiliano , Radić Deodato , Márquez Valeria , González‐Nilo Fernando. D.
Published: August 2014

In this article, innovative applications of amphiphilic triblock and pentablock copolymers in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles are reported. The synthesis of gold nanoparticles is performed using two methods. In the first method, micellar aggregates of block copolymers and AuCl4− ions directly react in water; the nanoparticles obtained by this method are variable in size and are associated with copolymer aggregates. In the second method, two processes take place simultaneously: the aggregation of block copolymers and the reduction of Au (III) by the copolymers to form nanoparticles. In contrast with the first method, in this case, the nanoparticles obtained are located inside the copolymer aggregates. In both methods of synthesis, the block copolymers act simultaneously as reducing and stabilizing agents. To understand the role of copolymer aggregates in the synthesis of nanoparticles, molecular simulation methods are used. The gold nanoparticles, copolymer aggregates, and nanocomposite systems are characterized using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3069–3079
Preparation and self‐assembly of stimuli‐responsive azobenzene‐containing diblock copolymers through microwave‐assisted RAFT polymerization
Authors: Yang Po‐Chih , Chen Hsin‐Cheng , Wen Hua‐Wen , Wu Po‐I
Published: August 2014

This article reports on studies regarding the photoisomerization kinetics and self‐assembly behaviors of two photoresponsive diblock copolymers, poly(4‐acetoxystyrene)‐block‐poly[6‐(4‐methoxy‐azobenzene‐4′‐oxy) hexyl acrylate] (poly(StO54‐b‐Cazo9) and poly(StO54‐b‐Cazo5)), which dissolved in a THF/H2O solution through two‐step reverse addition‐fragmentation transfer polymerization. We examined the effect of heating methods (i.e., conventional and microwave heating) on the polymerization kinetics of a 4‐acetoxystyrene‐based macrochain transfer agent (StO macro‐CTA). The kinetics studies on the homopolymerization of StO by using microwave heating demonstrated controllable characteristics with relatively narrow polydispersities at ∼1.14. The diblock copolymers exhibited moderate thermal stability, with thermal decomposition temperatures greater than 343.3 °C, suggesting that the enhancement of the thermal stability was due to the incorporation of azobenzene segments into block copolymers. Poly(StO54‐b‐Cazo9) showed lower photoisomerization rate constants (kt = 0.039 s−1) compared with Cazo monomer (kt = 0.097 s−1). Micellar aggregates with a mean diameter of approximately 238.3 nm were formed by gradually adding water to the THF solution (water content = 10 vol %), and are shown in SEM and TEM images of the diblock copolymer. The results of this study contribute to the literature regarding the development of photoresponsive polymer materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3107–3117
Conformational selection in protein binding and function
Authors: Weikl Thomas R. , Paul Fabian
Published: August 2014

Protein binding and function often involves conformational changes. Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments indicate that these conformational changes can occur in the absence of ligand molecules (or with bound ligands), and that the ligands may “select” protein conformations for binding (or unbinding). In this review, we argue that this conformational selection requires transition times for ligand binding and unbinding that are small compared to the dwell times of proteins in different conformations, which is plausible for small ligand molecules. Such a separation of timescales leads to a decoupling and temporal ordering of binding/unbinding events and conformational changes. We propose that conformational‐selection and induced‐change processes (such as induced fit) are two sides of the same coin, because the temporal ordering is reversed in binding and unbinding direction. Conformational‐selection processes can be characterized by a conformational excitation that occurs prior to a binding or unbinding event, while induced‐change processes exhibit a characteristic conformational relaxation that occurs after a binding or unbinding event. We discuss how the ordering of events can be determined from relaxation rates and effective on‐ and off‐rates determined in mixing experiments, and from the conformational exchange rates measured in advanced NMR or single‐molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments. For larger ligand molecules such as peptides, conformational changes and binding events can be intricately coupled and exhibit aspects of conformational‐selection and induced‐change processes in both binding and unbinding direction.
The Protective Effects of Rhodiola crenulata Extracts on Drosophila melanogaster Gut Immunity Induced by Bacteria and SDS Toxicity
Authors: Zhu Caixia , Guan Fachun , Wang Chao , Jin Li Hua
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of the Rhodiola crenulata extracts on gut immunity of Drosophila melanogaster. Wild‐type flies fed standard cornmeal–yeast medium were used as controls. Experimental groups were supplemented with 2.5% R. crenulata aqueous extracts in standard medium. Survival rate was determined by feeding pathogenic microorganisms and toxic compounds. The levels of reactive oxygen species and dead cells were detected by dihydroethidium and 7‐amino‐actinomycin D staining, respectively. The expression of antimicrobial peptides was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and morphological change of the intestine was imaged by an Axioskop 2 plus microscope. The results demonstrate that R. crenulata increased the survival rates of adult flies and expression of antimicrobial peptide genes after pathogen or toxic compound ingestion. Moreover, decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and epithelial cell death were associated with results in improved intestinal morphology. The pharmacological action of R. crenulata from Tibet was greater than that from Sichuan. These results indicate that the R. crenulata extracts from Tibet had better pharmacological effect on D. melanogaster gut immunity after ingestion of pathogens and toxic compounds. These results may provide the pharmacological basis for prevention of inflammatory diseases of the intestine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using HTML5 to prevent detection of drive‐by‐download web malware
Authors: De Santis Alfredo , De Maio Giancarlo , Petrillo Umberto Ferraro
Published: August 2014

The Web is experiencing an explosive growth in the last years. New technologies are introduced at a very fast pace with the aim of narrowing the gap between web‐based applications and traditional desktop applications. The results are web applications that look and feel almost like desktop applications while retaining the advantages of being originated from the Web. However, these advancements come at a price. The same technologies used to build responsive, pleasant, and fully featured web applications can also be used to write web malware able to escape detection systems. In this article, we present new obfuscation techniques, on the basis of some of the features of the upcoming HTML5 standard, which can be used to deceive malware detection systems. The proposed techniques have been experimented on a reference set of obfuscated malware. Our results show that the malware rewritten using our obfuscation techniques goes undetected while being analyzed by a large number of detection systems. The same detection systems were able to correctly identify the same malware in its original unobfuscated form. We also provide some hints about how the existing malware detection systems can be modified in order to cope with these new techniques. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GST and the research process as illustrated by a naturalistic study of parental adaptation to first pregnancy
Authors: Wertheim Eleanor S.
Published: August 2014

The primary aim in this paper is to look at research as a formal process from the standpoint of a newcomer to GST. The mental operations required of the researchers in linking specific GST concepts to research practice are scrutinized. The need for a reciprocal ‘fit’ between the theoretical and empirical aspects in a theoretically‐based research process is stressed. As the abstract nature of GST can pose problems, similarities as well as differences between the mental operations called for in studies guided by a discipline‐specific theoretical rationale and GST‐based research are spelled out.

The various formal steps in the research process are illustrated by reference to selected facets of a GST‐guided, semi‐experimental naturalistic study of the adaptation of couples to first pregnancy. The focus is on demonstrating the researcher's way of thinking, some of the problems encountered and the approach to their solution, not on the content of the study per se. A formal model of institutional entry, based on GST‐derived strategies for gaining access to rigid and highly stratified institutional systems, is included. Naturalistic research in medical and similar public settings is often jeopardized due to difficulties in securing entry into such systems. Researchers concerned with the family unit and, more particularly, with its functioning during first pregnancy, may be interested in a formal model of intra‐couple adaptation developed during the study and awaiting further empirical testing.
Complex‐shaped microbial biominerals for nanotechnology
Authors: Kröger Nils , Brunner Eike
Published: August 2014

Single‐celled microorganisms such as diatoms and coccolithophores produce inorganic microparticles with genetically controlled hierarchical nanopatterns. Besides serving as paradigms to inspire new routes for materials synthesis, biominerals themselves, particularly diatom biosilica, are increasingly utilized as templates for the synthesis of novel functional materials. Over the past decade, a large variety of methods have been established that allow not only for the attachment or coating of desired materials onto diatom biosilica but also for complete chemical conversion without altering the characteristic micro‐ and nanoscale morphology. Examples include the synthesis of materials for photonics (surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy,SERS, extraordinary optical transmission, EOT), ultraresponsive and sensitive gas sensors, gas storage materials, and highly active catalysts. More recently, emerging insight into the cellular mechanisms of biosilica formation has enabled the in vivo functionalization of diatom biosilica through advanced cultivation techniques and genetic engineering. As a naturally renewable material, biominerals hold the promise of serving as an inexpensive and easily available resource for a future nanotechnology‐based industry. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2014, 6:615–627. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1284

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Sustainability of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program (ERAS) in Colonic Surgery
Authors: Gillissen F. , Ament S. M. C. , Maessen J. M. C. , Dejong C. H. C. , Dirksen C. D. , van der Weijden T. , von Meyenfeldt M. F.
Published: August 2014

Background

Between 2006 and 2008 the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program was implemented in colonic surgery in one‐third of all hospitals in the Netherlands (n = 33). This resulted in enhanced recovery and a decrease in hospital length of stay (LOS) from a median of 9 days at baseline to 6 days at one‐year follow‐up. The present study assessed the sustainability of the ERAS program 3–5 years after its implementation.

Materials and methods

From the 33 ERAS hospitals, 10 initially successful hospitals were selected, with success defined as a median LOS of 6 days or lower and protocol adherence rates above 70 %. In 2012 a retrospective audit of 30 consecutive patients was performed in each of these hospitals. Sustainability of the ERAS program was assessed on hospital level, using median hospital LOS, protocol adherence rates and time to functional recovery. Data were compared with the implementation phase data.

Results

Overall median LOS in the selected hospitals increased from 5.25 days (interquartile range [IQR] 4.75–6.00; min, 4.00—max, 6.00) to 6 days (IQR 5.00–7.00; min, 5.00—max, 8.00), but this change was not significant (p = 0.052). Time to functional recovery was equal in both phases: median 3.00 days (p = 0.26). Protocol adherence decreased from 75 to 67 % (p = 0.32). Especially adherence to postoperative care elements dropped considerably.

Conclusions

Despite a slight decrease in protocol adherence, the ERAS program was sustained reasonably well in the 10 selected hospitals, although there was quite some variation between the hospitals.
Spontaneous Vesicle Formation in Mixtures of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds with Carbamate and Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate
Authors: Zheng Zhibo , Zhou Min , Qiao Weihong , Luo Limei
Published: August 2014

Spontaneous vesicles formation in the aqueous mixtures of 2,3‐bis (dodecylcarbamoyloxy)‐N, N‐dimethyl‐N‐(2‐hydroxyalkyl) propyl ammonium chloride (C12PAC) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate at different mixing molar ratios have been investigated. The characterizations are demonstrated by electrical conductivity measurements, dynamic light scattering and zeta (ζ) potential measurements. The ζ‐potential results indicate the C12PAC/SDBS systems are stable. The shapes of the catanionic vesicles are observed by negative‐staining transmission electronic microscopy. Meanwhile, from the viewpoint of molecular geometry structure, the electrostatic interaction between anionic and cationic molecules is regarded as the main driving force for spontaneous formation of vesicles.
Specificity of emotion regulation difficulties related to anxiety in early adolescence
Authors: Mathews Brittany L. , Kerns Kathryn A. , Ciesla Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2014

Etiological models identify difficulties in emotion regulation as potential contributors to the development and maintenance of anxiety. To date, studies with adolescents have not tested whether different types of anxiety symptoms are related to different emotion regulation difficulties. The current study aimed to examine specificity of associations between emotion regulation difficulties and symptoms of social and generalized anxiety in early adolescence. Ninety adolescents (ages 11–14 years) completed measures of emotion regulation and anxiety symptoms. Social and generalized anxiety symptoms showed similar bivariate correlations with emotion regulation. However, when controlling for generalized anxiety, social anxiety symptoms were uniquely related to emotion understanding, acceptance, evaluation, and reactivity. Generalized anxiety symptoms were uniquely related to emotion modification. The current study suggests that social and generalized anxiety symptoms have both common and unique associations with emotion regulation difficulties in early adolescence, and has implications for which emotion regulation skills to target in clinical interventions.
The antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine inhibit pyridoxal kinase, an essential enzyme for vitamin B6 production
Authors: Kimura Tomohiro , Shirakawa Ryutaro , Yaoita Nobuhiro , Hayashi Takashi , Nagano Keisuke , Horiuchi Hisanori
Published: August 2014

Quinoline derivatives such as chloroquine and primaquine are widely used for the treatment of malaria. These drugs are also used for the treatment of trypanosomiasis, and more recently for cancer therapy. However, molecular target(s) of these drugs remain unclear. In this study, we have identified human pyridoxal kinase as a binding protein of primaquine. Primaquine inhibited pyridoxal kinases of malaria, trypanosome and human, while chloroquine inhibited only malaria pyridoxal kinase. Thus, we have identified pyridoxal kinase as a possible target molecule of the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine.
Identification of nuclear phosphoproteins as novel tobacco markers in mouse lung tissue following short‐term exposure to tobacco smoke
Authors: Niimori-Kita Kanako , Ogino Kiyoshi , Mikami Sayaka , Kudoh Shinji , Koizumi Daikai , Kudoh Noritaka , Nakamura Fumiko , Misumi Masahiro , Shimomura Tadasuke , Hasegawa Koki , Usui Fumihiko , Nagahara Noriyuki , Ito Takaaki
Published: August 2014

Smoking is a risk factor for lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating the progression of these diseases remain unclear. Therefore, we sought to identify signaling pathways activated by tobacco‐smoke exposure, by analyzing nuclear phosphoprotein expression using phosphoproteomic analysis of lung tissue from mice exposed to tobacco smoke. Sixteen mice were exposed to tobacco smoke for 1 or 7 days, and the expression of phosphorylated peptides was analyzed by mass spectrometry. A total of 253 phosphoproteins were identified, including FACT complex subunit SPT16 in the 1‐day exposure group, keratin type 1 cytoskeletal 18 (K18), and adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein, in the 7‐day exposure group, and peroxiredoxin‐1 (OSF3) and spectrin β chain brain 1 (SPTBN1), in both groups. Semi‐quantitative analysis of the identified phosphoproteins revealed that 33 proteins were significantly differentially expressed between the control and exposed groups. The identified phosphoproteins were classified according to their biological functions. We found that the identified proteins were related to inflammation, regeneration, repair, proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis, and response to stress and nicotine. In conclusion, we identified proteins, including OSF3 and SPTBN1, as candidate tobacco smoke‐exposure markers; our results provide insights into the mechanisms of tobacco smoke‐induced diseases.
Improving maternity care in Ethiopia through facility based review of maternal deaths and near misses
Authors: Gebrehiwot Yirgu , Tewolde Birukkidus T.
Published: August 2014

The present study aimed to initiate facility based review of maternal deaths and near misses as part of the Ethiopian effort to reduce maternal mortality and achieve United Nations Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. An in‐depth review of all maternal deaths and near misses among women who visited 10 hospitals in four regions of Ethiopia was conducted between May 2011 and October 2012 as part of the FIGO LOGIC initiative. During the study period, a total of 2774 cases (206 deaths and 2568 near misses) were reviewed. The ratio of maternal deaths to near misses was 1:12 and the overall maternal death rate was 728 per 100 000 live births. Socioeconomic factors associated with maternal mortality included illiteracy 1672 (60.3%) and lack of employment outside the home 2098 (75.6%). In all, 1946 (70.2%) women arrived at hospital after they had developed serious complications owing to issues such as lack of transportation. Only 1223 (44.1%) women received prenatal follow‐up and 157 (76.2%) deaths were attributed to direct obstetric causes. Based on the findings, facilities adopted a number of quality improvement measures such as providing 24‐hour services, and making ambulances available. Integrating review of maternal deaths and near misses into regular practice provides accurate information on causes of maternal deaths and near misses and also improves quality of care in facilities.
Diagnostic impact of CSF biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in a tertiary memory clinic
Authors: Duits Flora H. , Prins Niels D. , Lemstra Afina W. , Pijnenburg Yolande A.L. , Bouwman Femke H. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Scheltens Philip , van der Flier Wiesje M.
Published: August 2014

Background

We aimed to assess the impact of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease on decision making and patient management in a tertiary memory clinic.

Methods

We included all patients, for 1 year, visiting the VUmc Alzheimer Center for cognitive screening. Neurologists completed questionnaires before and after CSF disclosure. We assessed the change of diagnosis, diagnostic confidence, and impact on patient management.

Results

A total of 438 patients (age 63 ± 8 years, 39% women) were included, of whom 351 (80%) underwent lumbar puncture. After the disclosure of CSF 23/351 diagnoses (7%) were changed. Diagnostic confidence increased from 84% to 89% (P < .001). There were consequences for management in 44/351 patients (13%) with CSF, and 13/87 patients (15%) because of unavailable CSF. There was no effect of age on these results.

Conclusions

CSF biomarkers aid clinicians with decision making during diagnostic work‐up of cognitive disorders. This study may be useful for developing guidelines for the implementation of CSF biomarkers in daily practice.
Enlargement of the left atrium is associated with increased infiltration of immune cells in patients with atrial fibrillation who had undergone surgery
Authors: Yamashita Takeshi , Sekiguchi Akiko , Suzuki Shinya , Ohtsuka Takayuki , Sagara Koichi , Tanabe Hiroaki , Kunihara Takashi , Sawada Hitoshi , Aizawa Tadanori
Published: August 2014

Background

Enlargement of the left atrium (LA) is a risk factor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for AF. However, structural changes associated with LA enlargement have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

To examine inflammation in the structural changes associated with LA enlargement, human left appendages obtained from 27 patients who underwent cardiac surgery by using the maze procedure were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

The extent of interstitial fibrosis increased according to the increase in LA dimension (LAD) as assessed by using ultrasound echocardiography. The extent of the infiltration of CD68‐positive macrophages and CD3‐positive T cells increased simultaneously according to the increments in LAD. The areas infiltrated by immune cells were positively and significantly correlated with LAD (r2=0.58, p<0.01 for CD68; r2=0.49, p<0.01 for CD3).

Conclusions

In the patients with AF, LA enlargement was associated not only with the increase in the extent of interstitial fibrosis but also with the changes in the LA component cells, including an increase in number of immune cells resident in tissues.
An Evaluation of the Impact of End-Of-Course Exams and Act-Qualitycore on U.S. History Instruction in a Kentucky High School
Authors: Mueller Rebecca G.W. , Colley Lauren M.
Published: August 2014

The growth of high-stakes testing in state accountability systems necessitates further examination of their impact on stakeholders. Prompted by broader state-level reform in Kentucky, this evaluation aims to provide insight into a new accountability system's effect on social studies teachers. Using a goal-free evaluation model and case study design, the researchers examined the content and instructional decisions made by a group of U.S. history teachers in response to a new end-of-course exam designed by ACT-QualityCore. The evaluation incorporated a content analysis of teacher materials, observation of a professional learning community meeting, and teacher interviews. The results of this evaluation indicate that teachers generally support the changes in the new assessment system but find specific elements frustrating and hesitate to completely revamp their instructional practices. Considering these assessment system changes occurred to advance Kentucky's goal of college and career readiness for all, this evaluation provides insight into what is actually happening in classrooms and should assist teachers and administrators as they assess the impact of these reforms on classroom practice.
Geography Matters: Teacher Beliefs about Geography in Today's Schools
Authors: Hinde Elizabeth R.
Published: August 2014

This article describes findings from a survey of 173 preschool through 12th grade teachers in which they express their thoughts about what children should learn about geography. Results indicate that despite geography's lack of attention in the curriculum, teachers are unhappy with the state of geography in schools. Their reflections reveal a strong sense of need, even urgency, for students to learn geography. Four trends were identified in their thoughts about geography education: expanding horizons paradigm of curriculum; connections that geography allows for in the curriculum; maps, continents, countries, and states; and Americans’ appalling lack of geographic knowledge. Framing their thoughts in the context of the current state of geography, the article also describes the importance of geography in creating effective citizens, the ambiguity of the discipline itself, its unique role in the curriculum, and insights about integrating geography across the curriculum. The article concludes with hope for reviving geography in schools.
The first dating of strong Holocene earthquakes in Gorny Altai using long-term tree-ring chronologies
Authors: Agatova A.R. , Nepop R.K. , Barinov V.V. , Nazarov A.N. , Myglan V.S.
Published: August 2014

We present the first results of application of long-term tree-ring chronologies for dating seismically triggered rockfalls and determining the upper age of Holocene rockfalls in southeastern Altai. Based on the results of seismic dendrochronological analysis, dating of penetrating wood injuries is proposed and tested, and the criterion for the distinguishing of seismically triggered rockfalls among slope processes of climatic nature is formulated. An earlier unknown strong earthquake of 1532 has been recognized; its traces are dated by the radiocarbon method. Based on the new data and calibration of earlier radiocarbon dates, the recurrence period of strong earthquakes in the southeastern Altai is refined.
Specific facies differentiation of Early Cretaceous (Berriasian–Hauterivian) foraminifer communities in the Ust’-Yenisei basin
Authors: Khafaeva S.N.
Published: August 2014

This paper is concerned with study and comparison of Berriasian, Valanginian, and lower Hauterivian foraminifer associations in northeastern West Siberia. Micropaleontological analysis of the Lower Cretaceous deposits of the Ust’-Yenisei region has given an insight into the taxonomic composition of microfossils in the studied sections. Analysis of the stratigraphic occurrence of foraminifers has revealed four successive biostratons in zones and beds. Communities of Berriasian, Valanginian, and earliest Hauterivian microbenthos are reconstructed, the regularities of their evolution are established, and the succession of bionomic zones is determined.
Detecting a magnesiowüstite phase transition in the lower mantle by inversion of geomagnetic data
Authors: Plotkin V.V. , Dyad’kov P.G. , Ovchinnikov S.G.
Published: August 2014

Global geomagnetic data are inverted for detecting a high-conductivity layer at depths of 1500–2000 km to test the hypothesis of a magnesiowüstite phase transition in the lower mantle. We present the results of processing of both synthetic and global data—average monthly values of the geomagnetic field from 1920 to 2009. The inverted global data are consistent with the possible existence of a high-conductivity layer at great depths in the lower mantle.
KAROUBI’S RELATIVE CHERN CHARACTER, THE RIGID SYNTOMIC REGULATOR, AND THE BLOCH–KATO EXPONENTIAL MAP
Authors: TAMME GEORG
Published: August 2014

We construct a variant of Karoubi’s relative Chern character for smooth separated schemes over the ring of integers in a $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}p$-adic field, and prove a comparison with the rigid syntomic regulator. For smooth projective schemes, we further relate the relative Chern character to the étale $p$-adic regulator via the Bloch–Kato exponential map. This reproves a result of Huber and Kings for the spectrum of the ring of integers, and generalizes it to all smooth projective schemes as above.
When Canvassers Became Activists: Antislavery Petitioning and the Political Mobilization of American Women
Authors: CARPENTER DANIEL , MOORE COLIN D.
Published: August 2014

Examining an original dataset of more than 8,500 antislavery petitions sent to Congress (1833–1845), we argue that American women's petition canvassing conferred skills and contacts that empowered their later activism. We find that women canvassers gathered 50% or more signatures (absolute and per capita) than men while circulating the same petition requests in the same locales. Supplementary evidence (mainly qualitative) points to women's persuasive capacity and network building as the most plausible mechanisms for this increased efficacy. We then present evidence that leaders in the women's rights and reform campaigns of the nineteenth century were previously active in antislavery canvassing. Pivotal signers of the Seneca Falls Declaration were antislavery petition canvassers, and in an independent sample of post–Civil War activists, women were four times more likely than men to have served as identifiable antislavery canvassers. For American women, petition canvassing—with its patterns of persuasion and networking—shaped legacies in political argument, network formation, and organizing.
Representation in Municipal Government
Authors: TAUSANOVITCH CHRIS , WARSHAW CHRISTOPHER
Published: August 2014

Municipal governments play a vital role in American democracy, as well as in governments around the world. Despite this, little is known about the degree to which cities are responsive to the views of their citizens. In the past, the unavailability of data on the policy preferences of citizens at the municipal level has limited scholars’ ability to study the responsiveness of municipal government. We overcome this problem by using recent advances in opinion estimation to measure the mean policy conservatism in every U.S. city and town with a population above 20,000 people. Despite the supposition in the literature that municipal politics are non-ideological, we find that the policies enacted by cities across a range of policy areas correspond with the liberal-conservative positions of their citizens on national policy issues. In addition, we consider the influence of institutions, such as the presence of an elected mayor, the popular initiative, partisan elections, term limits, and at-large elections. Our results show that these institutions have little consistent impact on policy responsiveness in municipal government. These results demonstrate a robust role for citizen policy preferences in determining municipal policy outcomes, but cast doubt on the hypothesis that simple institutional reforms enhance responsiveness in municipal governments.
THE HOMOGENISED ENVELOPING ALGEBRA OF THE LIE ALGEBRA sℓ(2,ℂ)
Authors: MARTINEZ-VILLA ROBERTO
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we study the homogenised algebra B of the enveloping algebra U of the Lie algebra sℓ(2,ℂ). We look first to connections between the category of graded left B-modules and the category of U-modules, then we prove B is Koszul and Artin–Schelter regular of global dimension four, hence its Yoneda algebra B! is self-injective of radical five zeros, and the structure of B! is given. We describe next the category of homogenised Verma modules, which correspond to the lifting to B of the usual Verma modules over U, and prove that such modules are Koszul of projective dimension two. It was proved in Martínez-Villa and Zacharia (Approximations with modules having linear resolutions, J. Algebra266(2) (2003), 671–697)] that all graded stable components of a self-injective Koszul algebra are of type ZA∞. Here, we characterise the graded B!-modules corresponding to the Koszul duality to homogenised Verma modules, and prove that these are located at the mouth of a regular component. In this way we obtain a family of components over a wild algebra indexed by ℂ.
SAW*-ALGEBRAS ARE ESSENTIALLY NON-FACTORIZABLE
Authors: GHASEMI SAEED
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we solve a question of Simon Wassermann, whether the Calkin algebra can be written as a C*-tensor product of two infinite dimensional C*-algebras. More generally, we show that there is no surjective *-homomorphism from a SAW*-algebra onto C*-tensor product of two infinite dimensional C*-algebras.
ON GENERALISED PRONORMAL SUBGROUPS OF FINITE GROUPS
Authors: BALLESTER-BOLINCHES A. , BEIDLEMAN J. C. , FELDMAN A. D. , RAGLAND M. F.
Published: August 2014

For a formation $\mathfrak F$, a subgroup M of a finite group G is said to be $\mathfrak F$-pronormal in G if for each g ∈ G, there exists x ∈ 〈U,Ug〉$\mathfrak F$ such that Ux = Ug. Let f be a subgroup embedding functor such that f(G) contains the set of normal subgroups of G and is contained in the set of Sylow-permutable subgroups of G for every finite group G. Given such an f, let fT denote the class of finite groups in which f(G) is the set of subnormal subgroups of G; this is the class of all finite groups G in which to be in f(G) is a transitive relation in G. A subgroup M of a finite group G is said to be $\mathfrak F$-normal in G if G/CoreG(M) belongs to $\mathfrak F$. A subgroup U of a finite group G is called K-$\mathfrak F$-subnormal in G if either U = G or there exist subgroups U = U0 ≤ U1 ≤ . . . ≤ Un = G such that Ui–1 is either normal or $\mathfrak F$-normal in Ui, for i = 1,2, …, n. We call a finite group G an $fT_{\mathfrak F}$-group if every K-$\mathfrak F$-subnormal subgroup of G is in f(G). In this paper, we analyse for certain formations $\mathfrak F$ the structure of $fT_{\mathfrak F}$-groups. We pay special attention to the $\mathfrak F$-pronormal subgroups in this analysis.
ON WITTEN MULTIPLE ZETA-FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SEMI-SIMPLE LIE ALGEBRAS V
Authors: KOMORI YASUSHI , MATSUMOTO KOHJI , TSUMURA HIROFUMI
Published: August 2014

We study the values of the zeta-function of the root system of type G2 at positive integer points. In our previous work we considered the case when all integers are even, but in the present paper we prove several theorems which include the situation when some of the integers are odd. The underlying reason why we may treat such cases, including odd integers, is also discussed.
Coexistence in a subtidal habitat in southern Chile: the effects of giant kelpMacrocystis pyriferaovergrowth on the slipper limpetCrepipatella fecunda
Authors: Díaz Francisco J. , Pereda Sandra V. , Buschmann Alejandro H.
Published: August 2014

In many coastal areas substrate is the limiting resource for benthic organisms. Some sessile species can be used as secondary substrate, reducing competition and increasing coexistence. In southern Chile, annual populations ofMacrocystis pyriferarecruit and grow on the shells ofCrepipatella fecunda.This study describes ecological interactions between the kelp and the slipper limpet over an annual cycle. The degree of kelp overgrowth was established by collecting sporophytes and throughin situsubmarine photography over a 10 month period (starting when kelp recruits became visible and ending when sporophytes were no longer present). Changes in the biochemical composition of the limpet tissue were also recorded by chemical analyses, to evaluate the potential effects (positive/neutral/negative) of kelp onC. fecundanutritional condition. The results indicate that both species coexist, although kelp overgrowth may cause a decrease in carbohydrates inC. fecundatissues, restricted to the period when the kelp forest reaches its maximum biomass. Individually, the short duration of the maximum overgrowth period and the size reached byC. fecundafemales (up to 65 mm shell length) may enable rapid limpet recovery, avoiding competitive exclusion. On a population level, theM. pyriferaannual cycle generates the needed ‘break’ forC. fecundapopulations, reducing the effects of kelp overgrowth. Thus, in the view of the neutral effect of kelp overgrowth, together with the positive effect ofC. fecundaonM. pyriferarecruitment described somewhere else, this ecological interaction can be categorized as commensalism.
KYTHERAFORTY YEARS ON: THE POTTERY FROM HISTORICAL KASTRI REVISITED
Authors: Johnston Alan , Slane Kathleen , Vroom Joanita
Published: August 2014

We present a review of the post Bronze Age material excavated by Coldstream and Huxley at Kastri on Kythera, as part of the ongoing Kythera Island Project. In particular we refer to material not published in Coldstream and Huxley 1972. Greek material is largely confined to one deposit and dates to the period c.500 to 380bc. From the Roman period material is more plentiful; the two relevant strata are third and late sixth to seventh centuries, with some earlier Julio-Claudian pieces. While later Medieval pottery also is largely from one deposit, the entirety of it is presented, and amis en scènewith respect to Kytheran modern history is offered.
Outbreak of primary inoculation tuberculosis in an acupuncture clinic in southeastern China
Authors: WANG J. , ZHU M. Y. , LI C. , ZHANG H. B. , ZUO G. B. , WANG M. H. , TENG H. L.
Published: August 2014

Outbreak of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections associated with acupuncture has not been reported. Thirteen patients with a painful swollen lump were referred to our hospital. The index patient received acupuncture and paraspinal muscular injection at a local acupuncture clinic in April 2011 and was diagnosed with M. tuberculosis 1 month later. From May 2011 to August 2011, 12 more patients with a swollen lump on the nuchal region or in the lower back or the buttocks region were referred to our hospital. Tuberculin skin test (TST), T-SPOT.TB, acid-fast stain, M. tuberculosis culture, chest radiograph, and lump magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed and the patients were diagnosed with tuberculous abscess of the lump. All 13 patients received intramuscular injection at the paraspinal muscle by two acupuncturists at a local clinic and reported a swollen lump at the injection site. The needles and syringes were reused after autoclave sterilization. The TST was positive in all patients. Twelve patients had positive acid-fast stains. Mycobacterial cultures of abscess specimens were positive in all 13 patients. T-SPOT.TB tests were positive in all patients who underwent the test. The lesions and biopsies were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing by the Disease Control Center of Zhejiang Province, China and the causative agent was identified as M. tuberculosis, Beijing type. In conclusion, physicians should consider the possibility of mycobacterial infections, apart from other bacterial agents, in patients with a swollen paraspinal lump following intramuscular injection.
Reversible changes in pancreatic islet structure and function produced by elevated blood glucose
Authors: Brereton Melissa F. , Iberl Michaela , Shimomura Kenju , Zhang Quan , Adriaenssens Alice E. , Proks Peter , Spiliotis Ioannis I. , Dace William , Mattis Katia K. , Ramracheya Reshma , Gribble Fiona M. , Reimann Frank , Clark Anne , Rorsman Patrik , Ashcroft Frances M.
Published: August 2014

Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycaemia due to impaired insulin secretion and aberrant glucagon secretion resulting from changes in pancreatic islet cell function and/or mass. The extent to which hyperglycaemia per se underlies these alterations remains poorly understood. Here we show that β-cell-specific expression of a human activating KATP channel mutation in adult mice leads to rapid diabetes and marked alterations in islet morphology, ultrastructure and gene expression. Chronic hyperglycaemia is associated with a dramatic reduction in insulin-positive cells and an increase in glucagon-positive cells in islets, without alterations in cell turnover. Furthermore, some β-cells begin expressing glucagon, whilst retaining many β-cell characteristics. Hyperglycaemia, rather than KATP channel activation, underlies these changes, as they are prevented by insulin therapy and fully reversed by sulphonylureas. Our data suggest that many changes in islet structure and function associated with diabetes are attributable to hyperglycaemia alone and are reversed when blood glucose is normalized.
Cross-platform ultradeep transcriptomic profiling of human reference RNA samples by RNA-Seq
Authors: Xu Joshua , Su Zhenqiang , Hong Huixiao , Thierry-Mieg Jean , Thierry-Mieg Danielle , Kreil David P. , Mason Christopher E. , Tong Weida , Shi Leming
Published: August 2014

Whole-transcriptome sequencing (‘RNA-Seq’) has been drastically changing the scale and scope of genomic research. In order to fully understand the power and limitations of this technology, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the third phase of the MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC-III) project, also known as the SEquencing Quality Control (SEQC) project. Using two well-established human reference RNA samples from the first phase of the MAQC project, three sequencing platforms were tested across more than ten sites with built-in truths including spike-in of external RNA controls (ERCC), titration data and qPCR verification. The SEQC project generated over 30 billion sequence reads representing the largest RNA-Seq data ever generated by a single project on individual RNA samples. This extraordinarily ultradeep transcriptomic data set and the known truths built into the study design provide many opportunities for further research and development to advance the improvement and application of RNA-Seq.
Tuneable complementary metamaterial structures based on graphene for single and multiple transparency windows
Authors: Ding Jun , Arigong Bayaner , Ren Han , Zhou Mi , Shao Jin , Lu Meng , Chai Yang , Lin Yuankun , Zhang Hualiang
Published: August 2014

Novel graphene-based tunable plasmonic metamaterials featuring single and multiple transparency windows are numerically studied in this paper. The designed structures consist of a graphene layer perforated with quadrupole slot structures and dolmen-like slot structures printed on a substrate. Specifically, the graphene-based quadrupole slot structure can realize a single transparency window, which is achieved without breaking the structure symmetry. Further investigations have shown that the single transparency window in the proposed quadrupole slot structure is more likely originated from the quantum effect of Autler-Townes splitting. Then, by introducing a dipole slot to the quadrupole slot structure to form the dolmen-like slot structure, an additional transmission dip could occur in the transmission spectrum, thus, a multiple-transparency-window system can be achieved (for the first time for graphene-based devices). More importantly, the transparency windows for both the quadrupole slot and the dolmen-like slot structures can be dynamically controlled over a broad frequency range by varying the Fermi energy levels of the graphene layer (through electrostatic gating). The proposed slot metamaterial structures with tunable single and multiple transparency windows could find potential applications in many areas such as multiple-wavelength slow-light devices, active plasmonic switching and optical sensing.
Development of a simple bioelectrode for the electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide using Pichia pastoris catalase immobilized on gold nanoparticle nanotubes and polythiophene hybrid
Authors: Nandini Seetharamaiah , Nalini Seetharamaiah , Sanetuntikul Jakkid , Shanmugam Sangaraju , Niranjana Pathappa , Melo Jose Savio , Suresh Gurukar Shivappa
Published: August 2014

We have developed an electrochemical H2O2biosensor using AuNPNTs PTh and CATpp.
Mono-benzimidazole functionalized β-cyclodextrins as supramolecular nanovalves for pH-triggered release of p-coumaric acid
Authors: Wang Ting , Wang MingDong , Ding ChenDi , Fu JiaJun
Published: August 2014

Mono-benzimidazole functionalized β-cyclodextrins with self-complexation/decomplexation characteristics are used as supramolecular nanovalves to assemble mechanized silica nanoparticles, showing a pH-controlled release.
Crystallization mechanism analysis of noncrystalline Ni–P nanoparticles through XRD, HRTEM and XAFS
Authors: Tan Yuanyuan , Sun Dongbai , Yu Hongying , Yang Bin , Gong Yu , Yan Shi , Chen Zhongjun , Cai Quan , Wu Zhonghua
Published: August 2014

The crystallization process of noncrystalline Ni–P nanoparticles could be evaluated quantitatively through the standard deviation of ΔR/R from XAFS spectra of P.
Formation and sintering of Pt nanoparticles on vicinal rutile TiO2 surfaces
Authors: Rieboldt Felix , Helveg Stig , Bechstein Ralf , Lammich Lutz , Besenbacher Flemming , Lauritsen Jeppe Vang , Wendt Stefan
Published: August 2014

The formation and sintering of Pt nanoparticles on vicinal and flat rutile TiO2 surfaces is studied by high-resolution STM to unravel the influence of the surface morphology.
Investigating the composition of dissolved organic matter in natural water in rare earth mine using EEM-PARAFAC analysis
Authors: Hongxia Yang , Jinxu Gao , Wei Liu , Keyan Tan
Published: August 2014

Three-component DOM was identified using the EEM-PARAFAC model, showing strong correlation with the concentrations of REEs in the natural water of an ore district.