bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel LEPR mutations in obese Pakistani children identified by PCR‐based enrichment and next generation sequencing
Authors: Saeed Sadia , Bonnefond Amélie , Manzoor Jaida , Philippe Julien , Durand Emmanuelle , Arshad Mohsin , Sand Olivier , Butt Taeed A , Falchi Mario , Arslan Muhammad , Froguel Philippe
Published: November 2013

Objective

Mutations in leptin receptor gene (LEPR) result in early onset extreme adiposity. However, their prevalence in different populations is not known. Indeed, LEPR screening by gold standard Sanger sequencing has been limited by its large size and the cost. One‐step PCR‐based targeted enrichment could be an option for rapid and cost effective molecular diagnosis of monogenic forms of obesity.

Methods

The study is based on 39 unrelated severely obese Pakistani children, previously shown to be negative for leptin (LEP) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene mutations, from an initial cohort of 62 probands. Patient samples were analyzed by microdroplet PCR‐enrichment (RainDance technologies) targeting coding exons of 26 obesity‐associated genes combined with next generation sequencing. Hormone levels were analyzed by ELISA.

Results

The analysis revealed two novel homozygous LEPR mutations, an essential splice site mutation in exon 15 (c.2396‐1 G>T), and a nonsense mutation in exon 10 (c.1675 G>A). Both probands had high leptin levels and were phenotypically indistinguishable from age‐matched leptin‐deficient subjects from the same population.

Conclusions

The two subjects carrying homozygous LEPR mutations, reported here for the first time in the Pakistani population, constitute 3% of the whole cohort of severely obese children (compared to 17% for LEP and 3% for MC4R).
Oncostatin M receptor is a novel therapeutic target in cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Caffarel Maria M , Coleman Nicholas
Published: November 2013

Cervical carcinoma is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Treatments have not changed for decades and survival rates for advanced disease remain low. An exciting new molecular target for the treatment of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and possibly for SCCs at other anatomical sites, is the oncostatin M receptor (OSMR). This cell surface cytokine receptor is commonly copy number gained and overexpressed in advanced cervical SCC, changes that are associated with significantly worse clinical outcomes. OSMR overexpression in cervical SCC cells results in enhanced responsiveness to the major ligand oncostatin M (OSM), which induces several pro‐malignant effects, including a pro‐angiogenic phenotype and increased cell migration and invasiveness. OSMR is a strong candidate for antibody‐mediated inhibition, a strategy that has had a major impact on haematological malignancies and various solid tumours such as HER2‐positive breast cancers. © 2013 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
SpliceProt: A protein sequence repository of predicted human splice variants
Authors: Tavares Raphael , de Miranda Scherer Nicole , Pauletti Bianca Alves , Araújo Elói , Folador Edson Luiz , Espindola Gabriel , Ferreira Carlos Gil , Paes Leme Adriana Franco , de Oliveira Paulo Sergio Lopes , Passetti Fabio
Published: November 2013

The mechanism of alternative splicing in the transcriptome may increase the proteome diversity in eukaryotes. In proteomics, several studies aim to use protein sequence repositories to annotate MS experiments or to detect differentially expressed proteins. However, the available protein sequence repositories are not designed to fully detect protein isoforms derived from mRNA splice variants. To foster knowledge for the field, here we introduce SpliceProt, a new protein sequence repository of transcriptome experimental data used to investigate for putative splice variants in human proteomes. Current version of SpliceProt contains 159 719 non‐redundant putative polypeptide sequences. The assessment of the potential of SpliceProt in detecting new protein isoforms resulting from alternative splicing was performed by using publicly available proteomics data. We detected 173 peptides hypothetically derived from splice variants, which 54 of them are not present in UniprotKB/TrEMBL sequence repository. In comparison to other protein sequence repositories, SpliceProt contains a greater number of unique peptides and is able to detect more splice variants. Therefore, SpliceProt provides a solution for the annotation of proteomics experiments regarding splice isofoms. The repository files containing the translated sequences of the predicted splice variants and a visualization tool are freely available at http://lbbc.inca.gov.br/spliceprot.
Self‐organizing maps: A versatile tool for the automatic analysis of untargeted imaging datasets
Authors: Franceschi Pietro , Wehrens Ron
Published: November 2013

MS‐based imaging approaches allow for location‐specific identification of chemical components in biological samples, opening up possibilities of much more detailed understanding of biological processes and mechanisms. Data analysis, however, is challenging, mainly because of the sheer size of such datasets. This article presents a novel approach based on self‐organizing maps, extending previous work in order to be able to handle the large number of variables present in high‐resolution mass spectra. The key idea is to generate prototype images, representing spatial distributions of ions, rather than prototypical mass spectra. This allows for a two‐stage approach, first generating typical spatial distributions and associatedm/zbins, and later analyzing the interesting bins in more detail using accurate masses. The possibilities and advantages of the new approach are illustrated on an in‐house dataset of apple slices.
Identifying and Managing Creative Tasks in Collaborative IS Research Projects
Authors: vom Brocke Jan , Lippe Sonia
Published: November 2013

Collaborative research projects require a high amount of creativity to create innovative results. Project management has to ensure that it recognizes and encourages creativity. This can be done successfully only if the nature of creative tasks is well understood. The current literature on creativity provides a well-accepted model to characterize creativity. Based on a literature review and case study we transfer the findings into the context of collaborative information systems (IS) research projects and we evaluate their applicability. We derive specific criteria and characteristics for the identification of creative tasks, find a set of different task types, and provide implications directly usable by project managers.
The C‐terminal domain of the transcriptional regulator BldD from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) constitutes a novel fold of winged‐helix domains
Authors: Kim Jeong‐Mok , Won Hyung‐Sik , Kang Sa‐Ouk
Published: November 2013

BldD regulates transcription of key developmental genes in Streptomyces coelicolor. While the N‐terminal domain is responsible for both dimerization and DNA binding, the structural and functional roles of the C‐terminal domain (CTD) remain largely unexplored. Here, the solution structure of the BldD‐CTD shows a novel winged‐helix domain fold not compatible with DNA binding, due to the negatively charged surface and presence of an additional helix. Meanwhile, a small elongated groove with conserved hydrophobic patches surrounded by charged residues suggests that the BldD‐CTD could be involved in protein–protein interactions that provide transcriptional regulation. Proteins 2014; 82:1093–1098. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Invasion of the Q2 mitochondrial variant of Mediterranean Bemisia tabaci in southern Italy: possible role of bacterial endosymbionts
Authors: Parrella Giuseppe , Nappo Anna Giulia , Manco Elena , Greco Barbara , Giorgini Massimo
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a complex of cryptic species, some of which, namely the Mediterranean (MED) and the Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), are highly invasive and injurious crop pests worldwide and able to displace local genotypes. Invasiveness of B. tabaci may depend on the phenotype of inherited bacterial endosymbionts. Here, the B. tabaci genetic diversity variation that has occurred in recent years in southern Italy was examined. Whitefly was genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase‐chain‐reaction‐amplified fragments (PCR‐RFLP) of the COI gene and molecular identification of endosymbionts. Possible factors leading to the observed genetic diversity were examined.

RESULTS

Q1 and Q2 mitochondrial types of MED, the only species found, coexisted in the field, while MEAM1 disappeared. A large spreading of Q2 (70% of individuals) was observed for the first time in Italy. Q2 showed a significant female‐biased sex ratio and largely outnumbered Q1 on solanaceous hosts, in greenhouses and on insecticide‐treated plants. Q1, with an even sex ratio, slightly prevailed on non‐solanaceous hosts, especially on wild and untreated plants. Endosymbiont composition was associated with the mitochondrial type. Hamiltonella and Rickettsia were found at near fixation in Q1 and Q2 respectively; Arsenophonus, Cardinium and Wolbachia were found in both types, although at different frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS

Q2 invasion seems to have been favoured by the agroecological conditions of southern Italy and by the female‐biased sex ratio. Endosymbionts may have a role in Q2 invasiveness, acting as sex‐ratio manipulators (e.g. Rickettsia) and possibly by benefiting the host fitness. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Using DNA chips for identification of tephritid pest species
Authors: Chen Yen‐Hou , Liu Lu‐Yan , Tsai Wei‐Huang , Haymer David S , Lu Kuang‐Hui
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

The ability correctly to identify species in a rapid and reliable manner is critical in many situations. For insects in particular, the primary tools for such identification rely on adult‐stage morphological characters. For a number of reasons, however, there is a clear need for alternatives. This paper reports on the development of a new method employing DNA biochip technology for the identification of pest species within the family Tephritidae.

RESULTS

The DNA biochip developed and tested here quickly and efficiently identifies and discriminates between several tephritid species, except for some that are members of a complex of closely related taxa and that may in fact not represent distinct biological species. The use of these chips offers a number of potential advantages over current methods. Results can be obtained in less than 5 h using material from any stage of the life cycle and with greater sensitivity than other methods currently available.

CONCLUSIONS

This technology provides a novel tool for the rapid and reliable identification of several major pest species that may be intercepted in imported fruits or other commodities. The existing chips can also easily be expanded to incorporate additional markers and species as needed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Management of lower urinary tract symptoms in BPH
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: November 2013

Recent advances in drug treatment have revolutionised the management of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Our Drug review discusses current approaches to management followed by further sources of information and an analysis of prescription data.
Glycopyrronium (Seebri Breezhaler): once‐daily LAMA for COPD
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Turner Alice
Published: November 2013

Glycopyrronium is a new LAMA for maintenance treatment of COPD. In our New products review, Steve Chaplin presents the clinical data relating to its efficacy and adverse events and Dr Alice Turner discusses its place in therapy.
Statins: may cause diabetes but patients still better off
Authors: Malik Rayaz
Published: November 2013

Professor Malik demonstrates that the risk of developing diabetes when taking statins is heavily outweighed by the observed reduction in cardiovascular events.
Current management of actinic keratosis in primary care
Authors: Downs Tony
Published: November 2013

The incidence of actinic keratosis is increasing and it is a risk factor for developing basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Here, the author discusses its management and the available treatment options..
Changes in prescribing for diabetes in England, 2005–13
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: November 2013

Steve Chaplin examines the latest statistics on the volume and cost of drugs prescribed for diabetes, with prescribing of newer agents accounting for most of the increase in spending.
BOP‐OXy, BOP‐OBt, and BOP‐OAt: novel organophosphinic coupling reagents useful for solution and solid‐phase peptide synthesis
Authors: El‐Faham Ayman , Khattab Sherine N. , Subirós‐Funosas Ramon , Albericio Fernando
Published: November 2013

Stand‐alone coupling reagents derived from bis(2‐oxo‐3‐oxazolidinyl)phosphorodiamidic chloride show efficient performance in solution and SPPS. In particular, the Oxyma Pure (Luxembourg Biotech., Tel Aviv, Israel) derivative shows the additional advantage of being highly soluble in DMF and even fairly soluble in CH3CN, which can extend its use for the synthesis of complex peptides. These new stand‐alone coupling reagents have the advantage of not bearing any counteranion such as PF6 or BH4, whose presence can jeopardize the purification of final peptides prepared in solution. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pressure–composition phase diagram of Ti–C from first principles
Authors: Jiang Chao , Jiang Wensen
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we report a theoretical prediction of the zero‐temperature pressure–composition phase diagram for the binary Ti–C system using ab initio evolutionary methodology. Our ground state search successfully identifies the known stable Ti2C, Ti3C2, Ti6C5, and TiC structures at 0 GPa. Our study uncovers two new titanium carbides that are thermodynamically stable at high pressures: tetragonal Ti2C with I4/m symmetry and tetragonal Ti3C2 with P4/mbm symmetry. Both carbides are quenchable to ambient pressure and remain mechanically stable, and are potential candidates for hard materials. The I4/m and P4/mbm structures are also expected to be stable in the isoelectronic Zr–C and Hf–C systems at high pressures. Experimental synthesis of these novel carbides will be of great interest.
Deactivation of phosphorus in silicon due to implanted nitrogen
Authors: Chang Ruey‐Dar , Lin Chih‐Hung
Published: November 2013

Deactivation of phosphorus due to nitrogen incorporation was quantitatively investigated. Coimplantation was performed to produce nitrogen profiles overlapping phosphorus profiles in preamorphized silicon. Nitrogen was found to retard phosphorus activation after recrystallization of the amorphous layer. When phosphorus activation was completed, a gap of dopant activation level was observed between samples implanted with and without nitrogen. The gap of the activation level increased linearly with the doses of nitrogen and phosphorus. This implies formation of inactive complexes by pairing of phosphorus and nitrogen atoms. However, the gap disappeared when the peak profile of nitrogen shifted toward the surface during additional annealing at 750 °C for long times. This indicates that the complexes were not stable and therefore dissolved with nitrogen diffusion. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural characterization of in‐situ silicided contacts textured on p‐type [001] silicon
Authors: Badalà Paolo , Faro Giuseppe , Marcellino Cinzia , Pellegrino Giovanna , Santangelo Antonello , Alberti Alessandra
Published: November 2013

Nickel silicide is widely used to realize contact terminals of integrated circuits and is usually formed by ex‐situ heating treatments. In‐situ reactions during sputter deposition of a Ni layer onto a HF p‐type [001] Si substrate have been investigated in this work, by means of transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray reflectivity analyses. A thin layer of polycrystalline silicide, with extremely flat interfaces and in fiber texture with the Si substrate, has been obtained by introducing a sputter etching step just before Ni deposition and properly modulating its duration. The work has also been aimed to decouple the thermal impact of sputter etching from its effect on surface cleaning, disclosing its key role in the whole reaction process. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterisation of electrically active defects
Authors: Duffy Ray , Heringa Anco
Published: November 2013

Defects may arise in the semiconductor substrate and at interfaces due to the processing used to fabricate transistors and circuits. The development of low‐thermal‐budget processes, which is advantageous in many ways, unfortunately reduces the likelihood of annealing out these electrically active defects. Electrical characterisation using simple diode structures yields valuable information; not only the absolute leakage current density value, but also carrier lifetimes, leakage activation energies, and diode ideality factor. Coupled with material analysis techniques, they can provide a detailed picture of the problems associated with process‐induced defects, and supply insight that can target optimised processes. In this paper the technological relevance of electrically active defects, their impact on device performance and power supplies, as well as their electrical and material characterisation, will be discussed. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Point defect engineering study of phosphorus ion implanted germanium
Authors: Razali M. A. , Secchi M. , Bersani M. , Gwilliam R. M.
Published: November 2013

We present experimental results on shallow junction formation in germanium by phosphorus ion implantation and standard rapid thermal processing. An attempt is made to improve phosphorus electrical activation using point defect engineering method by introducing an excess of point defects in germanium prior to the phosphorus implantation. The focus is on studying the phosphorus activation and diffusion as a function of germanium co‐implant energy. Hall Effect and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) measurements are employed for characterisation of phosphorus activation and diffusion, respectively. Phosphorus activation was improved at higher annealing temperature for the implants with germanium co‐implant. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Challenges in spacer process development for leading‐edge high‐k metal gate technology
Authors: Koehler Fabian , Triyoso Dina H. , Hussain Itasham , Antonioli Bianca , Hempel Klaus
Published: November 2013

Transistor performance is a key enabler for state‐of‐the‐art electronic devices. Besides fast switching performance, low power consumption is a critical parameter for mobile products. The implementation of HfO2 as a gate dielectric with a high permittivity reduces leakage current and power consumption drastically. Metal gates and work function materials are required to adjust Fermi levels and are essential for device performance. In addition to these key elements of high‐k metal gate (HKMG) technology, encapsulation liners and spacers are found to have a significant impact. We show that the performance of HKMG transistors has a strong dependency on the film quality and growth conditions of the SiN spacers. A good conformality and excellent step coverage at low deposition temperature is achieved with an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process using dichlorosilane and ionized radicals of ammonia. This ALD process is superior to standard LPCVD and PECVD processes with regards to thickness control, within‐wafer‐uniformity and matching of the thickness values between dense and isolated transistors. ALD SiN is applied as a spacer to define the implant profiles. The impact of the ALD SiN spacers on transistor universal curve, miller capacitance and Vt is demonstrated. Further application is a hard mask for selective epitaxy of SiGe. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Solid‐state synthesis of single phase Mg2Si films on Si substrates deposited at various sputtering powers
Authors: Xiao Qingquan , Xie Quan , Chen Qian , Zhang Jinmin
Published: November 2013

Semiconducting magnesium silicide (Mg2Si) thin films were synthesized by solid state reaction on Si substrates deposited at various sputtering powers. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Laser confocal Raman microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the crystal structure and surface morphology of the obtained Mg2Si films. XRD and Raman scattering spectra results show the formation of single phase Mg2Si thin films on Si substrates. SEM images show Mg2Si thin films on Si substrates with fine and compact grains were obtained. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermoelectric properties and durability at elevated temperatures of impurity doped n‐type Mg2Si
Authors: Oto Y. , Iida T. , Sakamoto T. , Miyahara R. , Natsui A. , Nishio K. , Kogo Y. , Hirayama N. , Takanashi Y.
Published: November 2013

The thermoelectric properties, including the Seebeck coefficient, the electrical and thermal conductivities, and the durability at elevated temperatures, of Co, Sm, Ta, Zn and Sb doped n‐type Mg2Si were studied. In order to optimize the thermoelectric properties of Mg2Si for practical applications, it needs to be doped, and typical device operating temperatures require that any substitutional element used as a dopant be highly stable. Stable impurity elements in Mg2Si are needed to ensure long lifetime operation at elevated temperatures. The results showed that Zn doping gave rise to a decrease in thermal conductivity to a level comparable to Sb doping. In order to examine the effects of double‐doping with these impurities, samples of Mg2Si doped with Sb+Zn, Sb+Al and Sb+Al+Zn, were fabricated using all‐molten polycrystalline synthesis process at 1423 K. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
C60 adsorption on Cu(110) studied by optical spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang L. , Fu X. , Sun L. D. , Zeppenfeld P.
Published: November 2013

The formation of the interface between C60 thin films and the Cu(110) surface has been investigated in situ using reflectance difference spectroscopy (RDS). The electronic interaction between C60 molecules in the first monolayer and the substrate inhibits low‐energy intramolecular transitions, whereas the C60 molecules above the first monolayer are effectively decoupled from the substrate. The morphology of C60 thin films prepared at room temperature is thermally stable up to 500 K. Above this threshold, optical spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) indicate the formation of rather large three dimensional C60 islands on a one monolayer thick wetting layer. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Impact of surface characteristics on flow over a mesoscale mountain
Authors: Jonassen Marius O. , Ágústsson Hálfdán , Ólafsson Haraldur
Published: November 2013

Dynamical downscaling of atmospheric flow over Iceland has revealed that prominent downslope accelerated flows are not merely extreme events, but rather constitute a strong climatological signal over the larger ice caps. Ice caps are characterised by smooth and cold surfaces and both of these properties have previously been found to enhance downslope flows. In this article, we investigate the response of downslope accelerated flow over Hofsjökull in Central Iceland to an increase in surface roughness and a change in surface temperature corresponding to the effect of melting Hofsjökull's ice cap. We do so by exploring the flow over Hofsjökull for a summertime case by means of several numerical sensitivity experiments. In the experiments, we find a stronger downslope flow acceleration with than without the ice cap. While an increased surface roughness distinctly dampens the downslope flow, the effect of changing the surface temperature is minimal. This study is both of general relevance through its exploration of factors affecting downslope acceleration of stably stratified flow and also of interest because glaciers diminish rapidly in a changing climate.
The poset of hypergraph quasirandomness
Authors: Lenz John , Mubayi Dhruv
Published: November 2013

Chung and Graham began the systematic study of k‐uniform hypergraph quasirandom properties soon after the foundational results of Thomason and Chung‐Graham‐Wilson on quasirandom graphs. One feature that became apparent in the early work on k‐uniform hypergraph quasirandomness is that properties that are equivalent for graphs are not equivalent for hypergraphs, and thus hypergraphs enjoy a variety of inequivalent quasirandom properties. In the past two decades, there has been an intensive study of these disparate notions of quasirandomness for hypergraphs, and an open problem that has emerged is to determine the relationship between them.

Our main result is to determine the poset of implications between these quasirandom properties. This answers a recent question of Chung and continues a project begun by Chung and Graham in their first paper on hypergraph quasirandomness in the early 1990's. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 46,762–800, 2015
A modeling method and EMTP simulations of an inverter surge
Authors: Shendge Asha , Nagaoka Naoto
Published: November 2013

A numerical simulation of the inverter surge is carried out using a frequency‐dependent model of a cabtyre cable. The frequency‐dependent model is based on the Semlyen line model in the EMTP, for which the required parameters are determined from the measured results of the wave propagation characteristic in the cable. A simple model of an induction motor is proposed considering resonances in the motor. The simulated result by the EMTP agrees reasonably well with the measured result. The proposed model can be useful for predicting the peak voltages observed at the motor terminal of inverter‐operated motors. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Operating methods for two‐way behavior shape memory polymer actuators without using external stress
Authors: Imai Satomitsu
Published: November 2013

Operating methods for two‐way behavior shape memory polymer (SMP) actuators have been developed and characterized. Since the shape memory effect of the SMP is one way, an external force to deform the SMP has also been used in conventional SMP actuators. We propose two operating methods: the double SMP layer method and the single SMP layer method. The double SMP layer method uses the shape memory effects of two kinds of SMPs with different glass transition temperatures (Tg1 and Tg2, Tg1 < Tg2). In this method, after a memory shape relating to Tg1 is formed, the generated memory shape relating to Tg2 cancels the previous memory shape at Tg2, i.e. the memory shape of Tg2 is set to the reverse shape of the memory shape of Tg1. The single SMP layer method uses the shape memory effect and thermal contraction of the SMP while it is cooling. In this method, a generated memory shape above Tg is returned to the pre‐memory shape by thermal shrinkage of the SMP when the SMP is cooled down below Tg. SMPs of the polyurethane series are chosen for these actuators. We confirmed that the proposed operating principles functioned experimentally by using prototype actuators of a cantilever beam and examining their fundamental characteristics. These operating methods need only a temperature cycle of heating and cooling and are suitable for small actuators such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Validity Curry Strengthened
Authors: Shapiro Lionel ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2013

Several authors have argued that a version of Curry’s paradox involving validity motivates rejecting the structural rule of contraction. This paper criticizes two recently suggested alternative responses to ‘‘validity Curry.’’ There are three salient stages in a validity Curry derivation. Rejecting contraction blocks the first, while the alternative responses focus on the second and third. I show that a distinguishing feature of validity Curry, as contrasted with more familiar forms of Curry’s paradox, is that paradox arises already at the first stage. Accordingly, blocking the second or third stages won’t suffice for resolving the paradox.
Responses of glutathione‐related antioxidant defense system in serum of Nile tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) exposed to sublethal concentration of methomyl and recovery pattern
Authors: Meng Shun‐Long , Qu Jian‐Hong , Fan Li‐Min , Qiu Li‐Ping , Chen Jia‐Zhang , Xu Pao
Published: November 2013

Tilapia were exposed to sublethal concentrations of 0, 0.2, 2, 20, or 200 μg/L for 30 days, and then transferred to methomyl‐free water for 18 days. GST, GPx, GR, GSH, and GSSG in tilapia serum were examined at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 days after methomyl exposure and at 18 days after transferring to methomyl‐free water. There were no significant changes in antioxidants activities and contents in serum of tilapia exposed to 0.2 μg/L. Significant increases in GST, GR, GPx, and GSSG accompanied by a decrease in GSH were observed following methomyl exposure to 2, 20, or 200 μg/L, suggesting the presence of oxidative stress. Thus, it would appear the 0.2 μg/L methomyl might be considered the no observed adverse effect level. Recovery data showed that the effects produced by lower concentration of 20 μg/L were reversible but not at the higher 200 μg/L concentration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 483–489, 2015.
Service‐based high‐speed railway base station arrangement
Authors: Zhang Chuang , Fan Pingyi , Dong Yunquan , Xiong Ke
Published: November 2013

To provide stable and high data rate wireless access for passengers in the train, it is necessary to properly deploy base stations along the railway. We consider this issue from the perspective of service, which is defined as the integral of the time‐varying instantaneous channel capacity. With large‐scale fading assumption, it will be shown that the total service of each base station is inversely proportional to the velocity of the train. Besides, we find that if the ratio of the service provided by a base station in its service region to its total service is given, the base station interval (i.e., the distance between two adjacent base stations) is a constant regardless of the velocity of the train. On the other hand, if a certain amount of service is required, the interval will increase with the velocity of the train. The aforementioned results apply not only to simple curve rails, like line rail and arc rail, but also to any irregular curve rail, provided that the train is traveling at a constant velocity. Furthermore, the new developed results are applied to analyze the on–off transmission strategy of base stations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Prandtl‐Reuss equations revisited
Authors: Bruhns O.T.
Published: November 2013

At the beginning of the last century two different types of constitutive relations to describe the complex behavior of elasto‐plastic material were presented. These were the deformation theory originally developed by Hencky and the Prandtl‐Reuss theory. Whereas the former provides a direct solid‐like relation of stress as function of strain, the latter has been based on an additive composition of elastic and plastic parts of the increments of strains. These in turn were taken as a solid‐ and fluid‐like combination of the de Saint‐Venant/Lévy theory with an incremental form of Hooke's law. Even nowadays this Prandtl‐Reuss theory is still accepted – within the restriction of small elastic deformations, i.e. it is generally stated in most textbooks on plasticity that this theory due to a number of defects can not be applied to large deformations. In the present article it is shown that this restrictive statement may be no longer true. Introducing a specific objective time derivative it could be shown that these defects disappear.
Giant Acquired Periungual Fibrokeratoma of the Thumb: Case Report and Review
Authors: Bulam Hakan , Şencan Ayşe , Bozkιrh Betül Ak , Sezgin Billur , Tuncer Serhan
Published: November 2013

Fibrokeratoma is a benign fibrous tumor which usually arises in fingers and toes. Tumor size is usually small, around 3–5 mm. We report a giant acquired periungual fibrokeratoma of the thumb in this study. The size of the tumor is 40×25×21 mm3. Clinical and histopathological characteristics of acquired fibrokeratoma are also reviewed.
The Effect of Ethanol on Nanostructures of Mixed Cationic and Anionic Surfactants
Authors: Aslanzadeh Saeed , Yousefi Ali
Published: November 2013

Micellization of tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (TTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in water–ethanol (ET) micellar solutions, with the weight percent of ET changing within the range 0–30, was studied by means of surface tension and conductivity measurements. Surface tension measurements also provided information about the dependence of the surface excess concentration, the minimum area per surfactant molecule, and the standard Gibbs energy of adsorption on the added weight percent of the organic solvent. Information about the degree of counterion dissociation and phase transition was obtained through conductivity measurements. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) was also employed to investigate the mixed micellar behavior of the binary mixtures. It was shown that an excess of cationic surfactant and ET resulted in a phase transition of vesicles and large micelles to mixed micelles. The regular solution theory approximation was used to determine various micellar parameters of ideal systems. The regular solution interaction parameter (β) suggests that the formation of mixed micelles is due to the synergistic interactions in the case of TTAB/SDS systems and becomes affected by the water/ET ratio.
Higher Education Reform: Matching Education to Labour Market Needs
Authors: Majewski Eva
Published: November 2013

Education plays a crucial role in Europe's future. Yet it seems that the educational systems throughout Europe do not relate well to the overall labour market. This article will look at the educational systems in Europe and present best practices, while examining recent policies in the area of education.
The Telecoms Single Market: Meeting the Needs of the European Youth
Authors: Fisher Daniel
Published: November 2013

The European Commission's proposal to build a single market for electronic communications will require a significant reform of the European telecommunications sector. The two most contentious elements of the proposed legislation are the abolition of roaming surcharges and the measures to guarantee network neutrality. The proposal seems to offer substantial benefits, particularly to young Europeans, in terms of communications, connectivity and mobility, as well as with regard to increased job opportunities, especially in the growing Internet economy. Nonetheless, a considerable obstacle to the creation of a genuine telecoms single market is the existing regulatory fragmentation into 28 separate national telecommunications markets, as well as the unattractive investment climate for network operators.
The effect of maternal pravastatin therapy on adverse sensorimotor outcomes of the offspring in a murine model of preeclampsia
Authors: Carver Alissa R. , Tamayo Esther , Perez‐Polo J. Regino , Saade George R. , Hankins Gary D.V. , Costantine Maged M.
Published: November 2013

Animal and human studies show that in‐utero exposure to preeclampsia alters fetal programming and results in long‐term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the offspring. Human epidemiologic data also suggest that offspring born to preeclamptic mothers are also at risk of adverse long term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Pravastatin, a hydrophilic lipid‐lowering drug with pleiotropic properties, was found to prevent the altered cardiovascular phenotype of preeclampsia and restore fetal growth in animal models, providing biological plausibility for its use as a preventive agent for preeclampsia. In this study, we used a murine model of preeclampsia based on adenovirus over‐expression of the anti‐angiogenic factor soluble Fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1, and demonstrated that adult offspring born to preeclamptic dams perform poorly on assays testing vestibular function, balance, and coordination, and that prenatal pravastatin treatment prevents impairment of fetal programming.
Interaction modes of multiple flexible flags in a uniform flow
Authors: Uddin Emad , Huang Wei-Xi , Sung Hyung Jin
Published: November 2013

Fish schooling is not merely a social behaviour; it also improves the efficiency of movement within a fluid environment. Inspired by the hydrodynamics of schooling, a group of flexible bodies was modelled as a collection of individuals arranged in a combination of tandem and side-by-side formations. The downstream bodies were found to be strongly influenced by the vortices shed from an upstream body, as revealed in the vortex–vortex and vortex–body interactions. To investigate the interactions between flexible bodies and vortices, the present study examined flexible flags in a viscous flow by using an improved version of the immersed boundary method. Three different flag formations were modelled to cover the basic structures involved in fish schooling: triangular, diamond and conical formations. The drag coefficients of the downstream flags could be decreased below the value for a single flag by adjusting the streamwise and spanwise gap distances and the flag bending coefficient. The drag variations were influenced by the interactions between vortices shed from the upstream flexible flags and those surrounding the downstream flags. The interactions between the flexible flags were investigated as a function of both the gap distance between the flags and the bending coefficients. The maximum drag reduction and the trailing flag position were calculated for different sets of conditions. Single-frequency and multifrequency modes were identified and were found to correspond to constructive and destructive vortex interaction modes, which explained the variations in the drag on the downstream flags.
The velocity of ‘large’ viscous drops falling on a coated vertical fibre
Authors: Yu Liyan , Hinch John
Published: November 2013

Kalliadasis & Chang (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 261, 1994, pp. 135–168) showed within lubrication theory that if a liquid film is thicker than a critical value then drops will accelerate and grow, whereas with thinner films the drops fall at a constant velocity. As the thickness of the film increases to the critical value, the drops move faster and are larger. We revisit their asymptotic analysis of these large drops. While we recover their results for the leading-order and first correction, we do not agree on further corrections. In particular we find it necessary to evaluate the third correction, which they do not consider, before we obtain a first approximation to the dependence of the speed on the non-dimensional control parameter. We proceed to two further corrections in order to improve this first approximation to the speed.
On the active feedback control of a swirling flow in a finite-length pipe
Authors: Wang Shixiao , Rusak Zvi , Taylor Steve , Gong Rui
Published: November 2013

The physical properties of a recently proposed feedback-stabilization method of a vortex flow in a finite-length straight pipe are studied for the case of a solid-body rotation flow. In the natural case, when the swirl ratio is beyond a certain critical level, linearly unstable modes appear in sequence as the swirl level is increased. Based on an asymptotic long-wave (long-pipe) approach, the global feedback control method is shown to enforce the decay in time of the perturbation’s kinetic energy and thereby quench all of the instability modes for a swirl range above the critical swirl level. The effectiveness of an extended version of this feedback flow control approach is further analysed through a detailed mode analysis of the full linear control problem for a solid-body rotation flow in a finite-length pipe that is not necessarily long. We first rigourously prove the asymptotic decay in time of all modes with real growth rates. We then compute the growth rate and shape of all modes according to the full linearized control problem for swirl levels up to 50 % above the critical level. We demonstrate that the flow is stabilized in the whole swirl range and can be even further stabilized for higher swirl levels. However, the control effectiveness is sensitive to the choice of the feedback control gain. A potentially best range of the gain is identified. An inadequate level of gain, either insufficient or excessive, could lead to a marginal control or failure of the control method at high swirl levels. The robustness of the proposed control law to stabilize both initial waves and continuous inlet flow perturbations and the elimination of the vortex breakdown process are demonstrated through numerical computations.
On the scaling in sink-flow turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Dixit Shivsai Ajit , Ramesh O. N.
Published: November 2013

Scaling of the streamwise velocity spectrum ${\phi }_{11} ({k}_{1} )$ in the so-called sink-flow turbulent boundary layer is investigated in this work. The present experiments show strong evidence for the ${ k}_{1}^{- 1} $ scaling i.e. ${\phi }_{11} ({k}_{1} )= {A}_{1} { U}_{\tau }^{2} { k}_{1}^{- 1} $, where ${k}_{1} $ is the streamwise wavenumber and ${U}_{\tau } $ is the friction velocity. Interestingly, this ${ k}_{1}^{- 1} $ scaling is observed much farther from the wall and at much lower flow Reynolds number (both differing by almost an order of magnitude) than what the expectations from experiments on a zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer flow would suggest. Furthermore, the coefficient ${A}_{1} $ in the present sink-flow data is seen to be non-universal, i.e. ${A}_{1} $ varies with height from the wall; the scaling exponent −1 remains universal. Logarithmic variation of the so-called longitudinal structure function, which is the physical-space counterpart of spectral ${ k}_{1}^{- 1} $ scaling, is also seen to be non-universal, consistent with the non-universality of ${A}_{1} $. These observations are to be contrasted with the universal value of ${A}_{1} $ (along with the universal scaling exponent of −1) reported in the literature on zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers. Theoretical arguments based on dimensional analysis indicate that the presence of a streamwise pressure gradient in sink-flow turbulent boundary layers makes the coefficient ${A}_{1} $ non-universal while leaving the scaling exponent −1 unaffected. This effect of the pressure gradient on the streamwise spectra, as discussed in the present study (experiments as well as theory), is consistent with other recent studies in the literature that are focused on the structural aspects of turbulent boundary layer flows in pressure gradients (Harun et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 715, 2013, pp. 477–498); the present paper establishes the link between these two. The variability of ${A}_{1} $ accommodated in the present framework serves to clarify the ideas of universality of the ${ k}_{1}^{- 1} $ scaling.
Linearized no-slip boundary conditions at a rough surface
Authors: Luchini Paolo
Published: November 2013

Linearized boundary conditions are a commonplace numerical tool in any flow problems where the solid wall is nominally flat but the effects of small waviness or roughness are being investigated. Typical examples are stability problems in the presence of undulated walls or interfaces, and receptivity problems in aerodynamic transition prediction or turbulent flow control. However, to pose such problems properly, solutions in two mathematical distinguished limits have to be considered: a shallow-roughness limit, where not only roughness height but also its aspect ratio becomes smaller and smaller, and a small-roughness limit, where the size of the roughness tends to zero but its aspect ratio need not. Here a connection between the two solutions is established through an analysis of their far-field behaviour. As a result, the effect of the surface in the small-roughness limit, obtained from a numerical solution of the Stokes problem, can be recast as an equivalent shallow-roughness linearized boundary condition corrected by a suitable protrusion coefficient (related to the protrusion height used years ago in the study of riblets) and a proximity coefficient, accounting for the interference between multiple protrusions in a periodic array. Numerically computed plots and interpolation formulas of such correction coefficients are provided.
Bones of Contention: The Political Economy of Height Inequality
Authors: BOIX CARLES , ROSENBLUTH FRANCES
Published: November 2013

Human osteological data provide a rich, still-to-be-mined source of information about the distribution of nutrition and, by extension, the distribution of political power and economic wealth in societies of long ago. On the basis of data we have collected and analyzed on societies ranging from foraging communities to the ancient Egyptian and modern European monarchies, we find that the shift from hunting and gathering to complex fishing techniques and to labor-intensive agriculture opened up inequalities that had discernible effects on human health and stature. But we also find that political institutions intervened decisively in the distribution of resources within societies. Political institutions appear to be shaped not only by economic factors but also by military technology and vulnerability to invasion.
Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults
Authors: West Sheila G. , McIntyre Molly D. , Piotrowski Matthew J. , Poupin Nathalie , Miller Debra L. , Preston Amy G. , Wagner Paul , Groves Lisa F. , Skulas-Ray Ann C.
Published: November 2013

The consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate is associated with a lower risk of CVD, and improvements in endothelial function may mediate this relationship. Less is known about the effects of cocoa/chocolate on the augmentation index (AI), a measure of vascular stiffness and vascular tone in the peripheral arterioles. We enrolled thirty middle-aged, overweight adults in a randomised, placebo-controlled, 4-week, cross-over study. During the active treatment (cocoa) period, the participants consumed 37 g/d of dark chocolate and a sugar-free cocoa beverage (total cocoa = 22 g/d, total flavanols (TF) = 814 mg/d). Colour-matched controls included a low-flavanol chocolate bar and a cocoa-free beverage with no added sugar (TF = 3 mg/d). Treatments were matched for total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and protein. The cocoa treatment significantly increased the basal diameter and peak diameter of the brachial artery by 6 % (+2 mm) and basal blood flow volume by 22 %. Substantial decreases in the AI, a measure of arterial stiffness, were observed in only women. Flow-mediated dilation and the reactive hyperaemia index remained unchanged. The consumption of cocoa had no effect on fasting blood measures, while the control treatment increased fasting insulin concentration and insulin resistance (P= 0·01). Fasting blood pressure (BP) remained unchanged, although the acute consumption of cocoa increased resting BP by 4 mmHg. In summary, the high-flavanol cocoa and dark chocolate treatment was associated with enhanced vasodilation in both conduit and resistance arteries and was accompanied by significant reductions in arterial stiffness in women.