bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Segment LLL Reduction of Lattice Bases Using Modular Arithmetic
Authors: Mehrotra Sanjay , Li Zhifeng
Published: July 2010

The algorithm of Lenstra, Lenstra, and Lovász (LLL) transforms a given integer lattice basis into a reduced basis. Storjohann improved the worst case complexity of LLL algorithms by a factor of O(n) using modular arithmetic. Koy and Schnorr developed a segment-LLL basis reduction algorithm that generates lattice basis satisfying a weaker condition than the LLL reduced basis with O(n) improvement than the LLL algorithm. In this paper we combine Storjohann’s modular arithmetic approach with the segment-LLL approach to further improve the worst case complexity of the segment-LLL algorithms by a factor of n0.5.
Remote Sensing and Modeling of Cyclone Monica near Peak Intensity
Authors: Durden Stephen L.
Published: July 2010

Cyclone Monica was an intense Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone of 2006. Although no in situ measurements of Monica’s inner core were made, microwave, infrared, and visible satellite instruments observed Monica before and during peak intensity through landfall on Australia’s northern coast. The author analyzes remote sensing measurements in detail to investigate Monica’s intensity. While Dvorak analysis of its imagery argues that it was of extreme intensity, infrared and microwave soundings indicate a somewhat lower intensity, especially as it neared landfall. The author also describes several numerical model runs that were made to investigate the maximum possible intensity for the observed environmental conditions; these simulations also suggest a lower intensity than estimates from Dvorak analysis alone. Based on the evidence from the various measurements and modeling, the estimated range for the minimum sea level pressure at peak intensity is 900 to 920 hPa. The estimated range for the one-minute averaged maximum wind speed at peak intensity is 72 to 82 m/s. These maxima were likely reached about 24 hours prior to landfall, with some weakening occurring afterward.
Eco-Self-Build Housing Communities: Are They Feasible and Can They Lead to Sustainable and Low Carbon Lifestyles?
Authors: Broer Steffie , Titheridge Helena
Published: July 2010

This paper concerns how sustainable and low carbon living can be enabled in new housing developments in the UK. It is here recognized that consumption of energy and resources is not just what goes into the building, but also long-term through occupancy and activities. Current approaches, which require housing developers to reduce the carbon emissions of the homes they build through a mixture of energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, do not sufficiently contribute to the carbon emission reductions which are necessary for meeting UK Government targets and to avoid dangerous climate change. Purchasing a home ties people in to not just direct consumption of energy (heating, hot water, electricity), but also effects other areas of consumption such as the embedded energy in the building and activities associated with the location and the type of development. Conventional business models for new housing development, operating under current government regulations, policies and targets have failed to develop housing which encourages the adoption of sustainable lifestyles taking whole life consumption into account. An alternative business model of eco-self-build communities is proposed as a way to foster desired behavior change. The feasibility of eco-self-build communities and their scope for supporting low carbon sustainable lifestyles is assessed through stakeholder interviews, and through quantitative assessment of costs, carbon emission reduction potential, and other sustainability impacts of technical and lifestyle options and their combinations. The research shows that eco-self-build communities are both feasible and have the ability to deliver low carbon lifestyles. In comparison to conventional approaches to building new housing, they have further advantages in terms of delivering wider social, environmental as well as economic sustainability objectives. If implemented correctly they could succeed in making sustainable lifestyles attractive, and foster the development of pro- environmental social norms.
SU(2) and SU(1,1) Approaches to Phase Operators and Temporally Stable Phase States: Applications to Mutually Unbiased Bases and Discrete Fourier Transforms
Authors: Atakishiyev Natig M. , Kibler Maurice R. , Wolf Kurt Bernardo
Published: July 2010

We propose a group-theoretical approach to the generalized oscillator algebra Aκ recently investigated in J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 2010, 43, 115303. The case κ ≥ 0 corresponds to the noncompact group SU(1,1) (as for the harmonic oscillator and the Pöschl-Teller systems) while the case κ < 0 is described by the compact group SU(2) (as for the Morse system). We construct the phase operators and the corresponding temporally stable phase eigenstates for Aκ in this group-theoretical context. The SU(2) case is exploited for deriving families of mutually unbiased bases used in quantum information. Along this vein, we examine some characteristics of a quadratic discrete Fourier transform in connection with generalized quadratic Gauss sums and generalized Hadamard matrices.
Procyanidin B1 Purified from Cinnamomi Cortex Suppresses Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Authors: Li Shenwei , Kodama Eiichi N , Inoue Yuuki , Tani Hideki , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Zhang Jing , Tanaka Takashi , Hattori Toshio
Published: July 2010

Background:

A combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the current standard therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but this combination provides relatively low efficacy, especially in some patients with HCV genotype 1 infection; therefore, the development of novel therapeutic agents is required for further improvement in the treatment of chronic HCV infection.

Methods:

HCV pseudotype and subgenomic replicon assays were used in this study. The interaction of compounds with HCV receptors was examined using flow cytometry. Intracellular RNA levels were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.

Results:

Procyanidin B1 (PB1), a dimer of (−)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, purified from Cinnamomi cortex, inhibits infection by vesicular stomatitis virus and HCV pseudotype virus in Huh-7 cells, with 50% effective concentrations of 29 and 15 μM, respectively. No inhibitory effects were observed in each component of PB1. We found that PB1 does not interfere with viral entry or receptor expression, but inhibits HCV RNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that PB1 suppresses HCV RNA synthesis, possibly as a HCV RNA polymerase inhibitor. Our results might contribute towards the development of more effective inhibitors for HCV infection from natural plants.
A Novel TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 Binding Domain Mediates NF-κB Signaling by the Common Cytokine Receptor β Subunit
Authors: Meads Mark B. , Li Zhi-Wei , Dalton William S.
Published: July 2010

GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5 are proinflammatory cytokines that control the production and function of myeloid and lymphoid cells. Their receptors are composed of a ligand-specific α subunit and a shared common signal-transducing β subunit (β common receptor or GM-CSFR β [βc]). The pleiotropic nature of biologic outcomes mediated by βc and the presence of large, uncharacterized regions of its cytoplasmic domain suggest that much remains to be learned about its downstream signaling pathways. Although some previous work has attempted to link βc with NF-κB activation, a definitive mechanism that mediates this pathway has not been described and, to date, it has not been clear whether the receptor can directly activate NF-κB. We demonstrate that NF-κB activation by βc is dependent on TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and that association of TRAF6 with βc requires a consensus-binding motif found in other molecules known to interact with TRAF6. Furthermore, point mutation of this motif abrogated the ability of βc to mediate NF-κB activation and reduced the viability of an IL-3–dependent hematopoietic cell line. Because this receptor plays a key role in hematopoiesis and the βc cytoplasmic domain identified in this work mediates hematopoietic cell viability, this new pathway is likely to contribute to immune cell biology. This work is significant because it is the first description of a TRAF6-dependent signaling pathway associated with a type I cytokine receptor. It also suggests that TRAF6, a mediator of TNFR and TLR signaling, may be a common signaling intermediate in diverse cytokine receptor systems.
Cbl-b−/− T Cells Demonstrate In Vivo Resistance to Regulatory T Cells but a Context-Dependent Resistance to TGF-β
Authors: Adams Catherine O. , Housley William J. , Bhowmick Sourojit , Cone Robert E. , Rajan Thiruchandurai V. , Forouhar Faripour , Clark Robert B.
Published: July 2010

Cbl-b is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that negatively regulates T cell activation. Cbl-b−/− mice develop spontaneous autoimmunity, and Cbl-b dysregulation has been described in both murine and human autoimmune diseases. Although the mechanisms underlying the development of autoimmunity in Cbl-b−/− mice are not yet clear, we have reported that Cbl-b−/− CD4+CD25− effector T cells (Teffs) are resistant to CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg)-mediated suppression in vitro and have suggested that this may be an important mechanism in the development of autoimmunity. To confirm the relevance of this resistance to autoimmune disease, we now show that Cbl-b−/− Teffs are resistant to suppression by Tregs in vivo and that this involves a resistance of truly naive Cbl-b−/− Teffs. Additionally, we show that Cbl-b−/− Tregs are fully functional in vivo, further suggesting that the regulatory abnormalities in Cbl-b−/− mice are related to defects in Teff, not Treg, function. To characterize the relevance of TGF-β sensitivity in Treg resistance, we examined in vivo Th17 generation and report that Cbl-b−/− mice are able to mount a normal Th17 response in vivo. As Cbl-b−/− Teffs have been shown to be insensitive to the suppressive effects of TGF-β in other in vivo models, the present results suggest that Cbl-b−/− Teffs demonstrate a context-dependent sensitivity to TGF-β in vivo. Overall, our results suggest that resistance to Tregs may be a bona fide mechanism underlying autoimmunity and that Cbl-b−/− mice offer unique approaches for studying the interrelationships between Treg function, TGF-β–mediated responses, and the development of autoimmunity.
Regulatory B Cells (B10 Cells) and Regulatory T Cells Have Independent Roles in Controlling Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Initiation and Late-Phase Immunopathogenesis
Authors: Matsushita Takashi , Horikawa Mayuka , Iwata Yohei , Tedder Thomas F.
Published: July 2010

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune disease of the CNS. Significant roles for B cells and a rare IL-10–producing CD1dhighCD5+ regulatory B cell subset (B10 cells) have been identified during the initiation and progression of EAE. Whether and how the regulatory functions of B10 cells and FoxP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) overlap or influence EAE immunopathogenesis independently has remained unanswered. This study demonstrates that the number of endogenous or adoptively transferred B10 cells directly influenced EAE pathogenesis through their production of IL-10. B10 cell numbers expanded quickly within the spleen, but not CNS following myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55 immunization, which paralleled B10 cell regulation of disease initiation. The adoptive transfer of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein33–35-sensitized B10 cells into wild-type mice reduced EAE initiation dramatically. However, B10 cells did not suppress ongoing EAE disease. Rather, Treg numbers expanded significantly within the CNS during disease progression, which paralleled their negative regulation of late-phase disease. Likewise, the preferential depletion of B10 cells in vivo during disease initiation enhanced EAE pathogenesis, whereas Treg depletion enhanced late-phase disease. B10 cells did not regulate T cell proliferation during in vitro assays, but significantly altered CD4+ T cell IFN-γ and TNF-α production. Furthermore, B10 cells downregulated the ability of dendritic cells to act as APCs and thereby indirectly modulated T cell proliferation. Thus, B10 cells predominantly control disease initiation, whereas Tregs reciprocally inhibit late-phase disease, with overlapping B10 cell and Treg functions shaping the normal course of EAE immunopathogenesis.
Clonal Repertoires of Virus-Specific CD8+ T Lymphocytes Are Shared in Mucosal and Systemic Compartments during Chronic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Sircar Piya , Furr Kathryn L. , Dorosh Lauren A. , Letvin Norman L.
Published: July 2010

Because it is thought that mucosal tissues play a fundamental role in early HIV/SIV infection, it is crucial to understand the virus-specific responses in mucosal tissues to facilitate devising strategies to prevent and control these infections. We have employed TCR repertoire analyses to define the clonal composition of a dominant SIV epitope-specific CD8+ T cell population in mucosal and systemic compartments of SIV-infected rhesus monkeys during both acute and chronic infection. We show that the CD8+ T cell repertoire in mucosal tissues of uninfected rhesus monkeys is oligoclonal, whereas the CD8+ T cell repertoire in blood is polyclonal. Early postinfection, the SIV-specific CD8+ T cell clonal repertoire is distinct in mucosal compartments and peripheral blood. However, we observed a narrowing of the virus-specific CD8+ T cell clonal repertoire in all sampled anatomic compartments as infection progressed from acute to chronic, and there was comparable clonal diversity in all anatomic compartments. We showed during chronic infection that the same clonal populations of virus-specific CD8+ T cells are present in all compartments. These data indicate that the SIV-specific CD8+ T cells in systemic and mucosal sites have a shared clonal origin and are, therefore, capable of both responding to infection in the systemic circulation and trafficking to mucosal tissues.
Effects of xylanase enzyme supplementation to corn/wheat-based diets on performance and egg quality in laying hens
Authors: Cufadar Y. , Yıldız A Ö. , Olgun O.
Published: July 2010

This study was conducted to determine the effects of xylanase supplementation of corn/wheat-based diets on the performance and egg quality of laying hens. At 52 wk of age, 180 White Leghorn LSL laying hens were fed 15 diets, consisting of five corn:wheat ratios and three levels of enzyme. None of the treatments affected performance or egg quality, except for egg yolk index and egg yolk color. The egg yolk color was improved by the increase in dietary corn level. It is concluded that wheat can be used instead of corn as an energy feedstuff in laying hen diets. Key words: Egg quality, laying hen, performance, xylanase
Evaluation of wheat or corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers
Authors: Walter L J , Aalhus J L , Robertson W M , McAllister T A , Gibb D J , Dugan M E.R. , Aldai N. , McKinnon J J
Published: July 2010

A study was conducted on crossbred steers (n = 275; 376 ± 24 kg) to evaluate performance and carcass quality of cattle fed wheat or corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS). The control ration contained 86.6% rolled barley grain, 5.7% supplement and 7.7% barley silage (DM basis). The four treatments included replacement of barley grain at 20 or 40% of the diet (DM basis) with wheat or corn DDGS. Steers were slaughtered at a common end weight of 645 kg with 100 steers randomly (n = 20 per treatment) selected for determination of the retail yield of sub-primal boneless boxed beef (SPBBB). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using pen as the experimental unit. Feeding increasing levels of wheat DDGS led to a quadratic increase in dry matter intake (DMI) (P < 0.01), whereas increasing levels of corn DDGS led to a quadratic decrease in DMI (P = 0.01). Average daily gain was not influenced (P = 0.13) by feeding wheat or corn DDGS, but cattle fed corn DDGS exhibited a quadratic increase (P = 0.01) in gain:feed. As a result, a quadratic increase (P < 0.01) in calculated NEg of the diet was observed as corn DDGS levels increased. A linear decrease (P = 0.04) in days on feed (169, 166 and 154 d) was noted when increasing levels of wheat DDGS (0, 20 and 40%) were fed. Dressing percentage increased in a linear fashion with wheat DDGS (P < 0.01) inclusion level and in a quadratic fashion (P = 0.01) as corn DDGS inclusion level increased although other carcass traits were not affected (P > 0.10) by treatment. The results indicate that replacement of barley grain with corn or wheat DDGS up to 40% of the diet (DM) can lead to superior performance (improved gain:feed or reduced days on feed, respectively) with no detrimental effect on quality grade or carcass SPBBB yield.Key words: Dried distillers’ grains with solubles, corn, wheat, feedlot performance, carcass quality, steers
Dietary lipid oxidation and vitamin E supplementation influence in vivo erythrocyte traits and postmortem leg muscle lipid oxidation in broiler chickens
Authors: Schiavone A. , Nery J. , Choque-López J A , Baucells M D , Barroeta A C
Published: July 2010

The present work aimed to assess: (1) whether the oxidative status of dietary lipids or vitamin E supplementation influences in vivo erythrocyte integrity of chickens, and (2) whether erythrocyte stability is related to musculus iliotibialis susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Thirty-six broilers were fed a basal diet supplemented with: sunflower oil (SO), sunflower oil and α-tocopheryl acetate (SO + E), and oxidized sunflower oil (SO-OX). In vivo hemolysis rate (HR) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of erythrocytes were measured. Postmortem, the TBARS of m. iliotibialis was determined. Erythrocyte HR and TBARS were higher in SO-OX than SO and SO + E groups (P < 0.001). Erythrocyte and muscle TBARS were highly correlated (r2 > 0.93). The SO-OX induced negative effects, indicating that dietary lipid quality is rapidly translated in negative effects to erythrocytes and muscle. In vivo erythrocyte TBARS proved to be a good indicator of meat oxidative status. Key words: Broiler, vitamin E, lipid oxidation, TBARS, erythrocytes, hemolysis
Effect of supplementing Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product in sow diets on reproductive performance in a commercial environment
Authors: Kim S W , Brandherm M. , Newton B. , Cook D R , Yoon I. , Fitzner G.
Published: July 2010

Sows (n = 491) were used to determine the effects of dietary yeast culture (Diamond V Original XPC™) on sow and litter performance in three treatments: (1) no added XPC, (2) 5 and 15 g d-1 XPC, and (3) 12 and 15 g d-1 XPC during gestation and lactation, respectively. Litter weight gain of multiparous sows fed XPC tended to be increased (P = 0.051), whereas that of primiparous sows was not affected. Days from wean to successful breeding of multiparous sows was reduced 35% (P < 0.05) by XPC. However, feeding a higher level of XPC during gestation resulted in no additional benefits.Key words: Litter weight gain, parity, sows, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product
Review: Postnatal development of the mucosal immune system and consequences on health in adulthood
Authors: Lewis M. , Inman C F , Bailey M.
Published: July 2010

The intestinal microbiota is a dynamic multifaceted ecosystem which has evolved a complex and mutually beneficial relationship with the mammalian host. The contribution to host fitness is evident, but in recent years it has become apparent that these commensal microorganisms may exert far more influence over health and disease than previously thought. The gut microbiota are implicated in many aspects of biological function, such as metabolism, angiogenesis and immune development: disruption, especially during the neonatal period, which may impose life-long penalty. Elimination of the microbiota appears difficult, but manipulation of the ratios and dominance of composite populations can be achieved by alterations in diet, rearing environment, antibiotics and/or probiotics. Components of the intestinal microbiota are frequently documented to affect normal function of the mucosal immune system in experimental animals and in domesticated, agricultural species. However, it is not always clear that the effects described are sufficiently well understood to provide a sound basis for commercial intervention. Some microbial interventions may be beneficial to the host under particular circumstances, while detrimental during others. It is essential that we further our understanding of the complex and intricate host-commensal relationship to avoid causing more long-term damage than advantage.Key words: Postnatal immune development, microbiota manipulation
The potential role of annual forage legumes in Canada: A review
Authors: McCartney D. , Fraser J.
Published: July 2010

The need to reduce agricultural input costs while increasing soil fertility has prompted researchers to look for alternative crop production systems that include N fixing crops. Annual legumes can be used in rotations as forages and green manure crops to increase the organic matter and N content of soils and provide soil cover to control erosion and weeds. Despite the benefits of annual legumes, high production costs and scarcity of seed has hindered their use.Key words: Medic, clover, vetch, pea, bean, lentil, forage yield, forage quality
LeAbsi1 gene expression regulation by various abiotic and oxidative stresses
Authors: Guo J. , Wang M -H.
Published: July 2010

A full-length LeAbsi1 cDNA was isolated from the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plant. Phylogenetic analysis was performed, based on the deduced amino acid sequence of the LeAbsi1 cDNA and revealed high amino acid identity (AAID) to unknown proteins in Solanum melongena (87% AAID) and Petunia integrifolia (80% AAID). LeAbsi1 shares high sequence identity with a zinc finger (C2H2-type) family protein from Arabidopsis (53% AAID) and the CaAbsi1 protein in Capsicum annuum (49% AAID). Expression of the LeAbsi1 gene under abiotic and oxidative stresses was investigated in this study, including exposure to the conditions of 200 mM NaCl, 200 mM mannitol, cold temperature (4°C), 100 µM abscisic acid (ABA), 10 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and 50 µMM methyl vilogen (MV). LeAbsi1 was significantly induced after a 3 h exposure to NaCl, mannitol and low temperature treatment. Its transcripts also accumulated strongly after plant hormone ABA treatment for 1 h. Moreover, LeAbsi1 was significantly induced by MV treatments after 6 h. These observations suggest that the LeAbsi1 gene plays a role in both abiotic and oxidative stress responses.Key words: Abiotic stress, LeAbsi1, tomato, oxidative stress
Alternative nitrogen management options for winter wheat on the eastern prairies of western Canada
Authors: Irvine R B , Lafond G P , May W E , Kutcher H R , Holzapfel C B
Published: July 2010

Since fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate is no longer available for general use in Canada, there is much discussion about the best management practices to minimize nitrogen (N) loss when fertilizing winter wheat. In two separate trials we compared several fall and spring N management options with the standard practice of spring-applied ammonium nitrate. In Study 1, the use of a coulter in fall or spring reduced seed yields, even when ammonium nitrate (AN) was broadcast in the spring, indicating crop damage. Spring broadcast applications of urea and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) produced yields equivalent to spring broadcast AN. Urea applied at the time of planting produced seed yields relative to spring application of AN. The late fall UAN treatment had lower yields than when this product was applied in the spring. Protein levels varied among site-years, but were generally lower than the marketing target of 115 g kg-1, which indicates less than optimal N levels or N uptake. In both studies, late fall surface banded UAN was inferior to other products and timings. In Study 2, seed yield and protein content were similar for all forms of urea placed at seeding, and these were similar to spring broadcast AN. We also found that under the relatively low fall and spring moisture conditions encountered in Study 2 protected N sources did not increase N use efficiency.Key words: Winter wheat, nitrogen, protein, yield
Distribution and abundance of an allergenic weed, common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), in rural settings of southern Quebec, Canada
Authors: Simard M. -J. , Benoit D. L.
Published: July 2010

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an important weed of urban and rural settings in eastern Canada. Where the species is abundant, its wind-dispersed pollen is responsible for most cases of allergic rhinitis or “hayfever” in August and September. Despite its adverse health effects, there is little information on the actual abundance or distribution of ragweed plants in rural settings. Ragweed surveys were therefore done in July and August (after herbicide application) in corn and soybean fields, field borders and along rural roadsides surrounding two cities in southern Quebec. Based on zero-inflated Poisson regression models, ragweed density averaged 4.1 plants m-2 (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu area) and 16.1 plants m-2 (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield area) along roadsides. Ragweed density in field borders (1.3 plants m-2) and fields was lower than on roadsides. Conventionally tilled fields and fields where tillage was reduced had equivalent densities of ragweed. Ragweed abundance in fields was likely related to the efficacy of herbicides used in transgenic vs. conventional crops. Transgenic herbicide-resistant corn fields had higher ragweed densities than conventional fields (0.44 vs. 0.07 plants m-2), while herbicide-resistant soybean fields had lower densities than conventional fields (0.02 vs. 1.33 plants m-2). Field borders located closer to roadsides had slightly higher ragweed counts, while roadside densities did not depend on the proximity of a field entrance. This suggests that roadsides are currently potential sources of spread into fields more than the opposite. Further research on the pollen production and dispersal of these rural populations is needed.Key words: Weed density, corn, Zea mays, soybean, Glycine max, field border, field entrance, roadside, transgenic crops
Validity Evidence for the Child Occupational Self Assessment
Authors: Kramer Jessica M. , Kielhofner Gary , Smith Everett V.
Published: July 2010

To ensure that researchers and practitioners make valid interpretations from children’s self-reports, evidence must demonstrate that the self-report has appropriate psychometric properties. The Child Occupational Self Assessment (COSA) is a self-report of occupational competence and value for everyday activities designed to involve children in identifying goals and assessing outcomes. Five hundred two children with disabilities, ages 6–17, completed the COSA. We used a Rasch Partial Credit model and parametric and nonparametric statistics to obtain validity evidence. Evidence suggests that the COSA has good content, structural, and substantive validity as given by item and child fit statistics and unidimensionality evaluation. Evidence for external validity was mixed because child fit status and measures varied with some demographic and assessment administration variables. Evidence suggests that most children’s responses to the COSA can be validly interpreted as indicators of occupational competence and value for everyday activities.
Pilot Study to Examine the Use of Self-Generation to Improve Learning and Memory in People With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Goverover Yael , Chiaravalloti Nancy , DeLuca John
Published: July 2010

People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience memory and learning difficulties. Difficulty in the initial acquisition of information is a primary reason people with TBI experience difficulties in learning and memory. Treatment focusing on improving the acquisition of information will likely improve both recall and recognition performance. In the “generation effect,” items self-generated are remembered better than items read or otherwise provided. The purpose of this study was to examine the application of the generation effect in improving memory for functional activities. The study used a within-subjects design and included 10 participants with TBI and 15 healthy control participants. Results demonstrated that material learned under the generated learning conditions was recalled better than when generated under provided learning conditions. This finding was true in both the TBI and the control groups. These results provide initial evidence supporting the use of self-generation to improve new learning of functional tasks for people with TBI.
Interrater and Intrarater Reliability of Finger Goniometric Measurements
Authors: Lewis Erika , Fors Lynn , Tharion William J.
Published: July 2010

Intrarater and interrater reliability were determined for middle finger range of motion (ROM) using the Rolyan finger goniometer. Seven raters measured ROM 3 times (trials) on 20 healthy adults. Intraclass reliability analysis and analysis of variance was used to assess the consistency and stability of measures. Level of significance was set at p ≤ .05. Significant differences (p < .05) existed between raters for metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal active finger ROM measurements and for metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal passive range of motion. Intrarater reliability ranged from .43 to .99 (single measure intraclass coefficient). Interrater reliability ranged from .24 to .95, with passive measures lower than active measures. These results provide clinicians with evidence for using this specific goniometer and issues associated with various therapists assessing finger ROM.
HOx observations over West Africa during AMMA: impact of isoprene and NOx
Authors: Stone D. , Evans M. J. , Commane R. , Ingham T. , Floquet C. F. A. , McQuaid J. B. , Brookes D. M. , Monks P. S. , Purvis R. , Hamilton J. , Hopkins J. , Lee J. , Lewis A. C. , Stewart D. , Murphy J. , Mills G. , Oram D. , Reeves C. E. , Heard D. E.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. OH and HO2 aircraft measurements made over West Africa during the AMMA field campaign in summer 2006 have been investigated using a box model constrained to observations of long-lived species and physical parameters. "Good" agreement was found for HO2 (modelled to observed gradient of 1.23±0.11). However, the model significantly overpredicts OH concentrations. The reasons for this are not clear, but may reflect instrumental instabilities affecting the OH measurements. Within the model HOx concentrations in West Africa are controlled by relatively simple photochemistry, with production dominated by ozone photolysis and reaction of O(1D) with water vapour, and loss processes dominated by HO2+HO2 and HO2+RO2. Isoprene chemistry was found to influence forested regions. In contrast to several recent field studies in very low NOx and high isoprene environments we do not observe any dependence of model success for HO2 on isoprene and attribute this to efficient recycling of HOx through RO2+NO reactions under the moderate NOx concentrations (5–300 ppt NO in the boundary layer) encountered during AMMA. This suggests that some of the problems with understanding the impact of isoprene on atmospheric composition may be limited to the extreme low range of NOx concentrations.
Primary aerosol emission trends for China, 1990–2005
Authors: Lei Y. , Zhang Q. , He K. B. , Streets D. G.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. An inventory of anthropogenic primary aerosol emissions in China was developed for 1990–2005 using a technology-based approach. Taking into account changes in the technology penetration within industry sectors and improvements in emission controls driven by stricter emission standards, a dynamic methodology was derived and implemented to estimate inter-annual emission factors. Emission factors of PM2.5 decreased by 7%–69% from 1990 to 2005 in different industry sectors of China, and emission factors of TSP decreased by 18%–80% as well. Emissions of PM2.5, PM10 and TSP presented similar trends: increased in the first six years of 1990s and decreased until 2000, then increased again in the following years. Emissions of TSP reached a historical high (35.5 Tg) in 1996, while the peak of PM10 (18.8 Tg) and PM2.5 (12.7 Tg) emissions occurred in 2005. Although various emission trends were identified across sectors, the cement industry and biofuel combustion in the residential sector were consistently the largest sources of PM2.5 emissions, accounting for 53%–62% of emission over the study period. The non-metallic mineral product industry, including the cement, lime and brick industries, accounted for 54%–63% of national TSP emissions. There were no significant trends of BC and OC emissions until 2000, but the increase after 2000 brought the historical high of BC (1.51 Tg) and OC (3.19 Tg) emissions in 2005. Although significant improvements in the estimation of primary aerosols are presented, there still exist large uncertainties. More accurate and detailed activity information and emission factors based on local tests are essential to further improve emission estimates, this especially being so for the brick and coke industries, as well as for coal-burning stoves and biofuel usage in the residential sector.
CARINA TCO2 data in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Pierrot D. , Brown P. , Van Heuven S. , Tanhua T. , Schuster U. , Wanninkhof R. , Key R. M.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Water column data of carbon and carbon-relevant hydrographic and hydrochemical parameters from 188 cruises in the Arctic Mediterranean Seas, Atlantic and Southern Ocean have been retrieved and merged in a new data base: the CARINA (CARbon IN the Atlantic) Project. These data have gone through rigorous quality control (QC) procedures so as to improve the quality and consistency of the data as much as possible. Secondary quality control, which involved objective study of data in order to quantify systematic differences in the reported values, was performed for the pertinent parameters in the CARINA data base. Systematic biases in the data have been tentatively corrected in the data products. The products are three merged data files with measured, adjusted and interpolated data of all cruises for each of the three CARINA regions (Arctic Mediterranean Seas, Atlantic and Southern Ocean). Ninety-eight cruises were conducted in the "Atlantic" defined as the region south of the Greenland-Iceland-Scotland Ridge and north of about 30° S. Here we report the details of the secondary QC which was done on the total dissolved inorganic carbon (TCO2) data and the adjustments that were applied to yield the final data product in the Atlantic. Procedures of quality control – including crossover analysis between stations and inversion analysis of all crossover data – are briefly described. Adjustments were applied to TCO2 measurements for 17 of the cruises in the Atlantic Ocean region. With these adjustments, the CARINA data base is consistent both internally as well as with GLODAP data, an oceanographic data set based on the WOCE Hydrographic Program in the 1990s, and is now suitable for accurate assessments of, for example, regional oceanic carbon inventories, uptake rates and model validation.
Mixed layer sub-mesoscale parameterization – Part 2: Results for coarse resolution OGCMs
Authors: Canuto V. M. , Dubovikov M. S.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Recent studies have shown that sub-mesoscales (SM, ~1 km) play an important role in mixed layer dynamics and have concluded that it has become necessary to include them in ocean global circulation models, OGCMs. In part A, we developed and assessed a parameterization of the vertical SM tracer flux for OGCMs that resolve mesoscales M but not SM. In the present paper, we derive a parameterization of the vertical SM tracer flux for OGCMs that do not resolve either M or SM, as those used in climate studies.
Automatic segmentation of dura for quantitative analysis of lumbar stenosis: A deep learning study with 518 CT myelograms
Authors: Fan Guoxin , Li Yufeng , Wang Dongdong , Zhang Jianjin , Du Xiaokang , Liu Huaqing , Liao Xiang
Published: May 2024

Background

The diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can be challenging because radicular pain is not often present in the culprit‐level localization. Accurate segmentation and quantitative analysis of the lumbar dura on radiographic images are key to the accurate differential diagnosis of LSS. The aim of this study is to develop an automatic dura‐contouring tool for radiographic quantification on computed tomography myelogram (CTM) for patients with LSS.

Methods

A total of 518 CTM cases with or without lumbar stenosis were included in this study. A deep learning (DL) segmentation algorithm 3‐dimensional (3D) U‐Net was deployed. A total of 210 labeled cases were used to develop the dura‐contouring tool, with the ratio of the training, independent testing, and external validation datasets being 150:30:30. The Dice score (DCS) was the primary measure to evaluate the segmentation performance of the 3D U‐Net, which was subsequently developed as the dura‐contouring tool to segment another unlabeled 308 CTM cases with LSS. Automatic masks of 446 slices on the stenotic levels were then meticulously reviewed and revised by human experts, and the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the dura was compared.

Results

The mean DCS of the 3D U‐Net were 0.905 ± 0.080, 0.933 ± 0.018, and 0.928 ± 0.034 in the five‐fold cross‐validation, the independent testing, and the external validation datasets, respectively. The segmentation performance of the dura‐contouring tool was also comparable to that of the second observer (the human expert). With the dura‐contouring tool, only 59.0% (263/446) of the automatic masks of the stenotic slices needed to be revised. In the revised cases, there were no significant differences in the dura CSA between automatic masks and corresponding revised masks (p = 0.652). Additionally, a strong correlation of dura CSA was found between the automatic masks and corresponding revised masks (r = 0.805).

Conclusions

A dura‐contouring tool was developed that could automatically segment the dural sac on CTM, and it demonstrated high accuracy and generalization ability. Additionally, the dura‐contouring tool has the potential to be applied in patients with LSS because it facilitates the quantification of the dural CSA on stenotic slices.
Viscous Mechano‐Electric Response of Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid
Authors: Medle Rupnik Peter , Cmok Luka , Sebastián Nerea , Mertelj Alenka
Published: May 2024

Direct viscous mechano‐electric response is demonstrated for a room‐temperature ferroelectric nematic liquid, which combines large spontaneous electric polarization with 3D fluidity. The mechano‐electric transduction is observed in the frequency range 1 −200 Hz via a simple demonstrator device. The liquid is placed into a deformable container with electrodes and the electric current induced by both periodic and irregular actuation of the container is examined. The experiments reveal a rich interplay of several distinct viscous mechano‐electric phenomena, where both shape deformations and material flow cause changes in the electric polarization structure of a ferroelectric nematic liquid. The results show that the mechano‐electric features of the material promise a considerable applicative perspective spanning from sensitive tactile sensors to energy harvesting devices.
Design Strategies for Anti‐Freeze Electrolytes in Aqueous Energy Storage Devices at Low Temperatures
Authors: You Chaolin , Fan Weijia , Xiong Xiaosong , Yang Haoyuan , Fu Lijun , Wang Tao , Wang Faxing , Zhu Zhi , He Jiarui , Wu Yuping
Published: May 2024

With the continuous development of electrochemical energy storage technology, especially in the current pursuit of environmental sustainability and safety, aqueous energy storage devices, due to their high safety, environmental friendliness, and cost‐effectiveness, are becoming an important direction of development in the field of energy storage. Diverse application scenarios require that energy storage systems be capable of continuous power supply under low temperature conditions. However, conventional aqueous electrolytes freeze at extremely low temperatures, causing limited ion transport and slow reaction kinetics, degrading the performance of the energy storage system. The design of low‐temperature anti‐freeze aqueous electrolytes has become an effective way to address this issue. In this review, the deep connection between hydrogen bonds (HBs) interactions in aqueous electrolytes and the liquid‐to‐solid conversion process, and the fundamental principles of the anti‐freeze mechanism is first explored. Subsequently, a systematic categorization and discussion of the design strategies for low‐temperature anti‐freeze aqueous electrolytes are conducted. Finally, potential directions are proposed. This review aims to provide comprehensive scientific guidance and technical reference for the development of anti‐freeze aqueous electrolytes with excellent low‐temperature performance, thereby promoting the application and innovation of aqueous energy storage devices in low‐temperature environments.
DNA Origami‐Directed Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanospheres for Plasmonic Metasurfaces
Authors: Sikeler Christoph , Haslinger Franziska , Martynenko Irina V. , Liedl Tim
Published: May 2024

Plasmonic nanostructures are frequently utilized to create metasurfaces with a large variety of optical effects. Control over shape and positioning of the nanostructures is key to the function of such plasmonic metasurfaces. Next to lithographic means, directed self‐assembly is a viable route to create plasmonic structures on surfaces with the necessary precision. Here, a combined approach of DNA origami self‐assembly and electron beam lithography is presented for determinate positioning of gold nanospheres on a SiO2 surface. First, DNA origami structures bind to the electron beam‐patterned substrate and subsequently, gold nanoparticles attach to a defined binding site on the DNA origami structure via DNA hybridization. A sol‐gel reaction is then used to grow a silica layer around the DNA, thereby increasing the stability of the self‐assembled metasurface. A mean yield of 74% of single gold nanospheres is achieved located at the determinate positions with a spatial position accuracy of 9 nm. Gold nanosphere dimers and trimers are achieved with a rate of 65% and 60%, respectively. The applicability of this structuring method is demonstrated by the fabrication of metasurfaces whose optical response can be tuned by the polarization of the incoming and the scattered light.
Design, Perspective, and Challenge of Niobium‐Based Anode Materials for High‐Energy Alkali Metal‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xinlin , Sun Jie , Cheng Zhongling , Wu Minghong , Guo Zaiping , Zhang Haijiao
Published: May 2024

The rapid advancement of clean energy has aroused an increased demand for advanced energy storage systems. Alkali metal‐ion batteries (AMIBs) including lithium/sodium/potassium‐ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs/PIBs) play a crucial role in these systems, and their development is closely related to the progress of electrode materials. Niobium (Nb)‐based materials exhibit distinctive features such as quasi‐2D framework, high intercalation potential, robust pseudo‐capacitance effect, and minimal volume expansion during cycles. These characteristics render them highly valuable for energy storage applications. However, the low conductivity and limited capacity of Nb‐based electrode materials significantly limit their widespread development in energy storage applications. To address these challenges, various strategies have been explored. This review primarily summarizes the recent advancements in research on Nb‐based anode materials for AMIBs over the past decade. The synthesis strategy, structure design, and material composite of Nb‐based materials are systematically discussed, and the performances of different types of batteries are also well analyzed and compared. Meanwhile, their merits in the fast‐charging realm are then highlighted. Importantly, this review presents the key issues and challenges encountered by Nb‐based anode materials in future energy storage, along with novel concepts and solutions for the research and development of next‐generation Nb‐based anodes.
Accumulation of Long‐Lived Photogenerated Holes at Indium Single‐Atom Catalysts via Two Coordinate Nitrogen Vacancy Defect Engineering for Enhanced Photocatalytic Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Yang Xuan , Xu Guofang , Biswal Basanta Kumar , Balasubramanian Rajasekhar
Published: May 2024

Visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic oxidation by photogenerated holes has immense potential for environmental remediation applications. While the electron‐mediated photoreduction reactions are often at the spotlight, active holes possess a remarkable oxidation capacity that can degrade recalcitrant organic pollutants, resulting in nontoxic byproducts. However, the random charge transfer and rapid recombination of electron–hole pairs hinder the accumulation of long‐lived holes at the reaction center. Herein, a novel method employing defect‐engineered indium (In) single‐atom photocatalysts with nitrogen vacancy (Nv) defects, dispersed in carbon nitride foam (In‐Nv‐CNF), is reported to overcome these challenges and make further advances in photocatalysis. This Nv defect‐engineered strategy produces a remarkable extension in the lifetime and an increase in the concentration of photogenerated holes in In‐Nv‐CNF. Consequently, the optimized In‐Nv‐CNF demonstrates a remarkable 50‐fold increase in photo‐oxidative degradation rate compared to pristine CN, effectively breaking down two widely used antibiotics (tetracycline and ciprofloxacin) under visible light. The contaminated water treated by In‐Nv‐CNF is completely nontoxic based on the growth of Escherichia coli. Structural–performance correlations between defect engineering and long‐lived hole accumulation in In‐Nv‐CNF are established and validated through experimental and theoretical agreement. This work has the potential to elevate the efficiency of overall photocatalytic reactions from a hole‐centric standpoint.
Uniaxial‐Oriented Chiral Perovskite for Flexible Full‐Stokes Polarimeter
Authors: Chen Quanlin , Ding Zijin , Zhang Li , Wang Di , Geng Cong , Feng Yanxing , Zhang Jia , Ren Miao , Li Saisai , Qaid Saif M. H. , Jiang Yuanzhi , Yuan Mingjian
Published: May 2024

Full‐Stokes polarization detection, with high integration and portability, offers an efficient path toward next‐gen multi‐information optoelectronic systems. Nevertheless, current techniques relying on optical filters create rigid and bulky configurations, limiting practicality. Here, a flexible, filter‐less full‐Stokes polarimeter featuring a uniaxial‐oriented chiral perovskite film is first reported. It is found that, the strategic manipulation of the surfactant‐mediated Marangoni effect during blade coating, is crucial for guiding an equilibrious mass transport to achieve oriented crystallization. Through this approach, the obtained uniaxial‐oriented chiral perovskite films inherently possess anisotropy and chirality, and thereby with desired sensitivity to both linearly polarized light and circularly polarized light vectors. The uniaxial‐oriented crystalline structure also improves photodetection, achieving a specific detectivity of 5.23 × 1013 Jones, surpassing non‐oriented devices by 10×. The as‐fabricated flexible polarimeters enable accurate capture of full‐Stokes polarization without optical filters, exhibiting slight detection errors for the Stokes parameters: ΔS1 = 9.2%, ΔS2 = 8.6%, and ΔS3 = 6.5%, approaching the detection accuracy of optics‐filter polarimeters. This proof of concept also demonstrates applications in matrix polarization imaging.