bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glasgow Coma Scale Scoring is Often Inaccurate
Authors: Bledsoe Bryan E. , Casey Michael J. , Feldman Jay , Johnson Larry , Diel Scott , Forred Wes , Gorman Codee
Published: December 2014

Introduction

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is widely applied in the emergency setting; it is used to guide trauma triage and for the application of essential interventions such as endotracheal intubation. However, inter-rater reliability of GCS scoring has been shown to be low for inexperienced users, especially for the motor component. Concerns regarding the accuracy and validity of GCS scoring between various types of emergency care providers have been expressed.

Hypothesis/Problem

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of accuracy of GCS scoring between various emergency care providers within a modern Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of the accuracy of GCS scoring using a convenience sample of various types of emergency medical providers using standardized video vignettes. Ten video vignettes using adults were prepared and scored by two board-certified neurologists. Inter-rater reliability was excellent (Cohen's κ = 1). Subjects viewed the video and then scored each scenario. The scoring of subjects was compared to expert scoring of the two board-certified neurologists.

Results

A total of 217 emergency providers watched 10 video vignettes and provided 2,084 observations of GCS scoring. Overall total GCS scoring accuracy was 33.1% (95% CI, 30.2-36.0). The highest accuracy was observed on the verbal component of the GCS (69.2%; 95% CI, 67.8-70.4). The eye-opening component was the second most accurate (61.2%; 95% CI, 59.5-62.9). The least accurate component was the motor component (59.8%; 95% CI, 58.1-61.5). A small number of subjects (9.2%) assigned GCS scores that do not exist in the GCS scoring system.

Conclusions

Glasgow Coma Scale scoring should not be considered accurate. A more simplified scoring system should be developed and validated.

BledsoeBE, CaseyMJ, FeldmanJ, JohnsonL, DielS, ForredW, GormanC. Glasgow Coma Scale scoring is often inaccurate. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(1):1-8.
Executive Function in Children and Adolescents with Critical Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Cassidy Adam R. , White Matthew T. , DeMaso David R. , Newburger Jane W. , Bellinger David C.
Published: December 2014

Children and adolescents with critical cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for deficits in aspects of executive function (EF). The primary aim of this investigation was to compare EF outcomes in three groups of children/adolescents with severe CHD and controls (ages 10–19 years). Participants included 463 children/adolescents with CHD [dextro-transposition of the great arteries (TGA), n=139; tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), n=68; and, single-ventricle anatomy requiring Fontan procedure (SVF), n=145] and 111 controls, who underwent laboratory and informant-based evaluation of EF skills. Rates of EF impairment on D-KEFS measures were nearly twice as high for CHD groups (75–81%) than controls (43%). Distinct EF profiles were documented between CHD groups on D-KEFS tasks. Deficits in flexibility/problem-solving and verbally mediated EF skills were documented in all three CHD groups; visuo-spatially mediated EF abilities were impaired in TOF and SVF groups, but preserved in TGA. Parent, teacher, and self-report ratings on the BRIEF highlighted unique patterns of metacognitive and self-regulatory concerns across informants. CHD poses a serious threat to EF development. Greater severity of CHD is associated with worse EF outcomes. With increased understanding of the cognitive and self-regulatory vulnerabilities experienced by children and adolescents with CHD, it may be possible to identify risks early and provide individualized supports to promote optimal neurodevelopment. (JINS, 2014, 20, 34–49)
Introduction: Gendering “New” Institutions
Authors: Mackay Fiona , Waylen Georgina
Published: December 2014

Challenging and transforming political institutions has long been recognized as central to feminist projects of change. Existing institutions can be reformed and/or new institutions created. Over several decades, feminist political scientists, activists, and equality-seeking states have addressed questions of how the existing institutions of governance—global, regional, and local—work in gendered ways and how they can be reformed or redesigned to incorporate gender justice and promote gender equality and women's human rights. We now have a wealth of case studies about efforts to insert new actors, new rules, and new ideas into old institutions. Work has focused on three trends in institutional reform: the adoption of gender quotas, which aim to transform the institutions of political recruitment (see, for example, Franceschet, Krook, and Piscopo 2012; Krook 2009); the creation of women's policy machinery; and the introduction of gender mainstreaming, the last two of which aim to counteract the traditional mobilization of masculinist bias in the institutions of legislation and policy making (see, for example, McBride and Mazur 2010, Squires 2007, True 2003). However, this rich field of research presents us with a puzzle: On the one hand, there's been a rapid proliferation and remarkable diffusion over the past 30 years—for example, quotas (of one form or another) have been adopted in more than 100 countries. On the other hand, however, there have been variable and sometimes unpredictable outcomes in practice, highlighting the difficulty of inserting new claims into old institutions.
A Seat at the Table—Is it Enough? Gender, Multiparty Negotiations, and Institutional Design in South Africa and Northern Ireland
Authors: Waylen Georgina
Published: December 2014

Women actors and gender concerns have often been absent from the negotiated settlements that bring an end to violent conflicts and create new political institutions. And although scholars and activists argue that both women actors and gender concerns should be incorporated, there is less consensus about how this can happen effectively. Taking up Jane Mansbridge's (2014, 11) recent call for political scientists to analyze “negotiations to agreement” and the institutions that facilitate negotiations, this paper argues that analyzing not only the involvement of women and gender actors and their outcomes, but also the form and structure of the negotiations themselves, will give us a greater understanding of how these processes are gendered. Through a comparative analysis of two negotiated settlements—in South Africa and Northern Ireland—this paper examines how institutional design processes were gendered and the impact that gender actors (understood here as actors organizing around gender interests) had on these “new” institutions/structures. In each case, women, organized as women, attempted to influence from the inside the creation of new institutional frameworks intended to end long-standing conflicts.
How is Institutional Formation Gendered, and Does it Make a Difference? A New Conceptual Framework and a Case Study of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales
Authors: Gains Francesca , Lowndes Vivien
Published: December 2014

How is institutional formation gendered, and does it make a difference? Inspired by new institutionalism's generic claim that “the organisation of political life makes a difference” (March and Olsen 1984), we ask, how does the gendered organization of political life make a difference? The purpose of this article is to build a conceptual framework for understanding the gendered character (and effects) of institutional formation. We test the framework through a case study of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales (which were introduced in 2012) and consider its potential for further development and wider utility in research on gender and institutional design and change.
Nested Newness, Institutional Innovation, and the Gendered Limits of Change
Authors: Mackay Fiona
Published: December 2014

Opportunities for innovation are created by broad restructuring processes and by the chance to be in at the start of new or substantially revised political institutions. These intuitions have animated the efforts of women's movement activists and their allies in processes of political transition and constitutional or institutional “engineering” (and reengineering) with the aim of embedding gender rights and freedoms (Banaszak, Beckwith, and Rucht 2003; Dobrowolsky and Hart 2003). Institutional theory supports these intuitions. Reformers—including feminist change agents—may take advantage of the “permissive” stage of institutional creation. By successfully intervening to insert new actors, new values, and new rules into new institutions, reformers may profoundly influence the future developments of an institution (Goodin 1996; Pierson 2004). By “locking in” elements that promote gender equality and gender justice at the stage of institutional design, the goal is to set off fledgling institutions along progressive paths, thus counteracting historic gender bias and gendered power imbalances found in most traditional political institutions.
“New,” “Old,” and “Nested” Institutions and Gender Justice Outcomes: A View from the International Criminal Court
Authors: Chappell Louise
Published: December 2014

What difference do new actors and new institutions make to gender justice outcomes? This article explores this question through an examination of the objectives and influence of “new” international actors on the design and implementation of the “new” victims' rights and gender justice provisions contained in the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court's (ICC). Highlighting the role of gender and formal and informal institutions, this article argues that during its first decade in operation, the ICC has produced mixed outcomes in terms of the treatment of victims, especially of conflict-related sexual violence. While there is some sign that the new actors and rules have helped produce some positive outcomes, there are also signs that “old” informal gender rules and the historical context in which the ICC is “nested” has contributed to undermining and distorting news rules aimed at addressing gender injustices. The article suggests that “newness” matters, but so, too, does “oldness” and “nestedness,” and understanding the interaction and relationship between these factors is key to understanding gender justice outcomes.
Using Statistical Methods to Study Institutions
Authors: Weldon S. Laurel
Published: December 2014

We can and should use a wide range of measures and methods to study institutions; we need a combination of approaches to chart such complex phenomena meaningfully. This is true for all kinds of institutions, both formal and informal. In this essay I argue that statistical methods, including large-scale cross-national analyses, can be fruitfully employed by feminists and others seeking new insights into institutional change. Moreover, large-scale cross-national studies offer the opportunity to examine our ideas about institutions in ways that are not possible in smaller, localized studies. Statistical methods and large-scale cross-national studies offer the tools to parse out the degree to which varying elements of the contexts and characteristics of institutions shape their operation and outcomes. They strengthen the power of arguments about the general application of the findings in specific cases and provide tools for assessing the impact of chance. Thus, although qualitative and quantitative techniques are best used together, or at least are best used when they inform each other, statistical techniques in general and large-scale cross-national analyses in particular offer insights not available with other approaches. Here I mainly discuss these arguments as they apply to informal institutions, where methodological challenges are the greatest, but the points I make here should apply to research on all kinds of institutions.
A Feminist Institutionalist Approach
Authors: Kenny Meryl
Published: December 2014

The “institutional turn” in political science reflects a wider consensus among both feminist and mainstream scholars that institutions—broadly defined as the formal and informal “rules of the game”—deeply shape political life. Political institutions are also profoundly gendered. Yet, despite significant advancements in institutional analysis over the past few decades, gender politics scholars continue to grapple with how to “capture” the gendered character and gendering effects of institutions. This contribution explores how insights from feminist institutionalism (see, for example, Kenny 2007; 2013; Krook and Mackay 2011) can help us address these methodological challenges. It argues that a feminist institutionalist approach provides useful insights into the gendered foundations of political institutions, the operation and importance of informal institutions, and the general and gendered mechanisms of continuity and change.
How Are Things Done Around Here? Uncovering Institutional Rules and Their Gendered Effects
Authors: Lowndes Vivien
Published: December 2014

Despite its popularity as a conceptual framework, institutionalism is characterized by a deep methodological uncertainty. Doctoral students struggle to pin down the actual institutions that they wish to study, and, in the work of many established scholars, the operationalization of institutionalist concepts is frustratingly vague or surprisingly flexible. It has been 30 years since “new institutionalists” March and Olsen (1984) argued that “the organisation of political life makes a difference.” They were reacting to “undersocialised” perspectives like behavioralism and early rational choice theory and asserting that informal conventions were as significant as formal structures and procedures. This broad conception of institutions has been both the strength and the weakness of the wave of research that followed. It has enabled new institutionalists to build a more fine-grained and realistic picture of what really constrains political behavior and decision making. But an expanded definition of “institution” runs the risk of “conceptual stretching” (Peters 1999, 216). March and Olsen (1989, 17) themselves make no clear distinction between institutions and social norms in general, while Douglas North (1990, 83) goes as far as to include tradition, custom, culture, and habit in his definition. Researchers also operate at radically different temporal and spatial scales—from microlevel studies of decision making to analyses of whole government systems (like legislatures, for instance) or historical accounts of policy change. Bo Rothstein (1996, 145) cautions that if the concept of institution “means everything, then it means nothing.” Guy Peters (1999, 145) argues that institutionalists need “more rigour in conceptualisation and then measurement of the phenomena that are assumed to make up institutions.”
Feminist Legal Method and the Study of Institutions
Authors: O'Rourke Catherine
Published: December 2014

Consistent with feminist scholarship more broadly, feminist legal methodology is more clearly unified by a common objective—revealing and challenging the role of law in exacerbating women's inequality—than specific methods per se. Nevertheless, common methods and approaches to the feminist legal study of institutions can be discerned. This brief intervention will focus on describing these common methods and approaches, explaining how they differ from feminist political science, and conclude with some reflections on how feminist legal studies might enrich feminist political science study of institutions in order to inform strategies for change.
Role of the Pension Protection Fund in financial risk management of UK defined benefit pension sector: a multi-period economic capital study
Authors: Yang Wei , Tapadar Pradip
Published: December 2014

With the advent of formal regulatory requirements for rigorous risk-based, or economic, capital quantification for the financial risk management of banking and insurance sectors, regulators and policy-makers are turning their attention to the pension sector, the other integral player in the financial markets. In this paper, we analyse the impact of applying economic capital techniques to defined benefit pension schemes in the United Kingdom. We propose two alternative economic capital quantification approaches, first, for individual defined benefit pension schemes on a stand-alone basis and then for the pension sector as a whole by quantifying economic capital of the UK’s Pension Protection Fund, which takes over eligible schemes with deficit, in the event of sponsor insolvency. We find that economic capital requirements for individual schemes are significantly high. However, we show that sharing risks through the Pension Protection Fund reduces the aggregate economic capital requirement of the entire sector.
Support for radical left parties in Western Europe: social background, ideology and political orientations
Authors: Ramiro Luis
Published: December 2014

Radical left parties (RLP) have been significant actors in many Western European party systems since the expansion of mass democracy. In some cases, they have been very relevant forces in terms of popular support. Despite this fact, they have not received a great deal of attention in past decades from a comparative perspective. Through examination of the role of an important set of factors, this article provides, for the first time, a cross-national empirical account of the variation in voting for RLPs across Western Europe, based on individual-level data. It evaluates the effect of key socio-demographic and attitudinal individual-level variables on the RLP vote. The findings point to the continuing relevance of some social and political factors traditionally associated with votes for RLPs, and to the relevance of attitudinal variables.
Spatially resolved sampling reveals dynamic microbial communities in rising hydrothermal plumes across a back-arc basin
Authors: Sheik Cody S , Anantharaman Karthik , Breier John A , Sylvan Jason B , Edwards Katrina J , Dick Gregory J
Published: December 2014

Within hydrothermal plumes, chemosynthetic processes and microbe–mineral interactions drive primary productivity in deep-ocean food webs and may influence transport of elements such as iron. However, the source of microorganisms in plumes and the factors governing how these communities assemble are poorly understood, in part due to lack of data from early stages of plume formation. In this study, we examined microbial community composition of rising hydrothermal plumes from five vent fields along the Eastern Lau Spreading Center. Seafloor and plume microbial communities were significantly dissimilar and shared few phylotypes. Plume communities were highly similar to each other with significant differences in community membership only between Kilo Moana and Mariner, two vents that are separated by extremes in depth, latitude and geochemistry. Systematic sampling of waters surrounding the vents revealed that species richness and phylogenetic diversity was typically highest near the vent orifice, implying mixing of microbial communities from the surrounding habitats. Above-plume background communities were primarily dominated by SAR11, SAR324 and MG-I Archaea, while SUP05, Sulfurovum, Sulfurimonas, SAR324 and Alteromonas were abundant in plume and near-bottom background communities. These results show that the ubiquitous water-column microorganisms populate plume communities, and that the composition of background seawater exerts primary influence on plume community composition, with secondary influence from geochemical and/or physical properties of vents. Many of these pervasive deep-ocean organisms are capable of lithotrophy, suggesting that they are poised to use inorganic electron donors encountered in hydrothermal plumes.
Populations, not clones, are the unit of vibrio pathogenesis in naturally infected oysters
Authors: Lemire Astrid , Goudenège David , Versigny Typhaine , Petton Bruno , Calteau Alexandra , Labreuche Yannick , Le Roux Frédérique
Published: December 2014

Disease in oysters has been steadily rising over the past decade, threatening the long-term survival of commercial and natural stocks. Our understanding and management of such diseases are of critical importance as aquaculture is an important aspect of dealing with the approaching worldwide food shortage. Although some bacteria of the Vibrio genus isolated from diseased oysters have been demonstrated to be pathogenic by experimental infection, direct causality has not been established. Little is known about the dynamics of how the bacterial population hosted by oysters changes during disease progression. Combining experimental ecology, a high-throughput infection assay and genome sequencing, we show that the onset of disease in oysters is associated with progressive replacement of diverse benign colonizers by members of a phylogenetically coherent virulent population. Although the virulent population is genetically diverse, all members of that population can cause disease. Comparative genomics across virulent and nonvirulent populations identified candidate virulence factors that were clustered in population-specific genomic regions. Genetic analyses revealed that one gene for a candidate virulent factor, a putative outer membrane protein, is necessary for infection of oysters. Finally, analyses of oyster mortality following experimental infection suggest that disease onset can be facilitated by the presence of nonvirulent strains. This is a new form of polymicrobial disease, in which nonpathogenic strains contribute to increase mortality.
A method for selecting modified DNAzymes without the use of modified DNA as a template in PCR
Authors: Renders Marleen , Miller Emily , Hollenstein Marcel , Perrin David
Published: December 2014

Linking phenotype to genotype for modified DNAzyme selections: we report a method for selecting modified DNA catalysts without having to amplify modified DNA as the unmodified DNA coding strand (genotype) is liberated as a function of catalysis by the modified phenotypic strand.
Heterostructured calcium carbonate nanowires controlled by a cationic polyelectrolyte
Authors: Zhu Jianhua , Huang Lei , Cui Mingfang , Ma Li
Published: December 2014

We are the first to report the heterostructures of aragonite nanowires on calcite crystals, and aragonite nanopillars decorated with rhombohedral calcite tips in a cationic polyelectrolyte mineral solution. Polymorph switching in the same structures attributes to spontaneous variations of the solutes in bulk solution and spatial distribution of the polymer in the microenvironment.
Surfactant-free synthesis of SrTiO3 hierarchical structures in ethanol/water mixed solvent at room temperature
Authors: Wu Qing-Song , Liu Jian-Wei , Chen Shao-Feng , Liang Hai-Wei , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: December 2014

SrTiO3 hierarchical structures can be synthesized in ethanol/water mixed solvent at room temperature without using any structure-directing templates.
Pore-controlled formation of 0D metal complexes in anionic 3D metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Zhang Muwei , Bosch Mathieu , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: December 2014

The host–guest chemistry between a series of anionic MOFs and their trapped counterions was investigated by single crystal XRD.
A mechanistic study of hydrogen gas sensing by PdO nanoflake thin films at temperatures below 250 °C
Authors: Chiang Yu-Ju , Li Kuang-Chung , Lin Yi-Chieh , Pan Fu-Ming
Published: December 2014

Kinetic competition between PdO reduction and reoxidation governs the H2 sensing behavior of PdO nanoflakes at temperatures below 200 °C.
Abstraction and addition kinetics of C2H radicals with CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C2H4, and C3H6: CVT/SCT/ISPE and hybrid meta-DFT methods
Authors: Dash Manas Ranjan , Rajakumar B.
Published: December 2014

Rate coefficients for the reactions of C2H radicals with methane (k1), ethane (k2), propane (k3), ethylene (k4), and propylene (k5) were computed using canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) coupled with hybrid-meta density functional theory (DFT) over a wide range of temperatures from 150 to 5000 K.
Self-assembly polymorphism of 2,7-bis-nonyloxy-9-fluorenone: solvent induced the diversity of intermolecular dipole–dipole interactions
Authors: Cui Lihua , Miao Xinrui , Xu Li , Hu Yi , Deng Wenli
Published: December 2014

The dielectric variance of homologous acids induced different coadsorption behaviors. Intermolecular dipolar interaction stabilized the arrangements of fluorenone moieties.
Adsorbate-driven morphological changes on Cu(111) nano-pits
Authors: Mudiyanselage K. , Xu F. , Hoffmann F. M. , Hrbek J. , Waluyo I. , Boscoboinik J. A. , Stacchiola D. J.
Published: December 2014

Healing of a metal surface by formation of a sub-surface hydride.
Photocatalytic enhancement of hybrid C3N4/TiO2prepared via ball milling method
Authors: Zhou Jianwei , Zhang Mo , Zhu Yongfa
Published: December 2014

A mechanochemical process was used to promote the dispersion of C3N4on the surface of TiO2to form a core–shell structure.
Developing catalytic materials for the oxidative coupling of methane through statistical analysis of literature data
Authors: Kondratenko Evgenii V. , Schlüter Michael , Baerns Manfred , Linke David , Holena Martin
Published: December 2014

Accuracy of models based on literature data for predicting experimental yield of C2hydrocarbons over La2O3- and MgO-based catalysts in the oxidative coupling of methane.
Excess of210polonium activity in the surface urban atmosphere. Part (1) fluctuation of the210Po excess in the air
Authors: Długosz-Lisiecka Magdalena
Published: December 2014

The concentrations of210Pb,210Bi, and210Po in the urban atmosphere of Lodz city were measured from February 2010 to May 2010 and from May 2011 to April 2012.
Excess of polonium-210 activity in the surface urban atmosphere. Part 2: origin of 210Po excess
Authors: Długosz-Lisiecka Magdalena
Published: December 2014

The presence of significant 210Po activity, unsupported by its grandparent radionuclide 210Pb, in the surface atmosphere of industrialized regions can originate from human technical activities.
Determination of phosphite in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Yu Xiaolong , Geng Jinju , Ren Hongqiang , Chao Han , Qiu Huimin
Published: December 2014

Phosphite (HPO32−, +3), a reduced P species in the P biogeochemical cycle, was monitored in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWTP) that uses an anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic-membrane bioreactor (A2/O-MBR) technology for treating mixed wastewater (56% industrial wastewater and 44% domestic wastewater) from June 2013 to May 2014.
“On water” synthesis of N-unsubstituted pyrazoles: semicarbazide hydrochloride as an alternative to hydrazine for preparation of pyrazole-3-carboxylate derivatives and 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles
Authors: Marković Violeta , Joksović Milan D.
Published: December 2014

A method for the conversion of 4-substituted-2,4-diketoester and 1-aryl-1,3-diketones into pyrazole compounds under “on water” conditions has been developed.
Marker-free detection of progenitor cell differentiation by analysis of Brownian motion in micro-wells
Authors: Sekhavati Farzad , Endele Max , Rappl Susanne , Marel Anna-Kristina , Schroeder Timm , Rädler Joachim O.
Published: December 2014

The analysis of Brownian motion is a sensitive and robust tool for a label-free high-throughput investigation of cell differentiation at the single-cell level.
Quantitative and classification analysis of slag samples by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with support vector machine (SVM) and partial least square (PLS) methods
Authors: Zhang Tianlong , Wu Shan , Dong Juan , Wei Jiao , Wang Kang , Tang Hongsheng , Yang Xiaofeng , Li Hua
Published: December 2014

A laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique coupled with SVM and PLS was proposed to perform quantitative and classification analysis of 20 slag samples.
Two and three input molecular logic operations mediated by a novel azo-azomethine based chromogenic probe through intramolecular charge transfer processes
Authors: Rezaeian Khatereh , Khanmohammadi Hamid
Published: December 2014

A novel azo-azomethine based chromogenic receptor has been successfully designed and synthesized for the construction of multifunctional molecular logic circuits.
Synthesis of novel polyhydroxylated pyrrolidine–triazole/-isoxazole hybrid molecules
Authors: Lin Cheng-Kun , Cheng Li-Wei , Li Huang-Yi , Yun Wen-Yi , Cheng Wei-Chieh
Published: December 2014

A straightforward synthesis of novel, 2-heterocyclyl polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines is described.
1H chemical shift differences of Prelog–Djerassi lactone derivatives: DFT and NMR conformational studies
Authors: Aímola Túlio J. , Lima Dimas J. P. , Dias Luiz C. , Tormena Cláudio F. , Ferreira Marco A. B.
Published: December 2014

This work reports an experimental and theoretical study of the conformational preferences of several Prelog–Djerassi lactone derivatives, to elucidate the1H NMR chemical shift differences in the lactonic core that are associated with the relative stereochemistry of these derivatives.
In tandem or alone: a remarkably selective transfer hydrogenation of alkenes catalyzed by ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts
Authors: Zieliński Grzegorz Krzysztof , Samojłowicz Cezary , Wdowik Tomasz , Grela Karol
Published: December 2014

A remarkably selective system for transfer hydrogenation of alkenes, composed of Grubbs’ ruthenium metathesis catalyst and HCOONa/HCOOH, is presented. This system can also be formed directly after a metathesis reaction to effect hydrogenation in a single-pot.
Selective formation of C–N and CN bonds via C(sp3)–H activation of isochroman in the presence of DTBP
Authors: Feng J. , Lv M. F. , Lu G. P. , Cai C.
Published: December 2014

An organocatalytic approach for the synthesis of isochroman derivativesviadirect C(sp3)–H bond and N–H bond coupling is described. The C–N (amine or amide) and CN (imidate) products can be selectively achieved by controlling the amount of oxidants.
In situ formation of gold/silver bi-metal nanodots on silica spheres and evaluation of their microbicidal properties
Authors: Rameshkumar Perumal , Saranya Selvam , Sujatha Kabilan , Ramaraj Ramasamy
Published: December 2014

An environmentally benign synthetic method of seedless and one-step growth of 2–4 nm sized gold/silver bi-metal nanodots on preformed silica spheres and their microbicidal properties with different concentrations of Au and Ag are reported.
Charge-selective membrane protein patterning with proteoliposomes
Authors: Kim Heesuk , Lee Keel Yong , Ryu Soo Ryeon , Jung Kwang-Hwan , Ahn Tae Kyu , Lee Yeonhee , Kwon Oh-Sun , Park Sung-Jin , Parker Kevin Kit , Shin Kwanwoo
Published: December 2014

A novel method to fabricate transmembrane protein (TP) embedded lipid bilayers has been developed, resulting in an immobilized, but biologically functioning TP embedded lipid layer precisely in the targeted patterns.
Metal–elastomer nanostructures for tunable SERS and easy microfluidic integration
Authors: Lamberti Andrea , Virga Alessandro , Angelini Angelo , Ricci Alessandro , Descrovi Emiliano , Cocuzza Matteo , Giorgis Fabrizio
Published: December 2014

Stretchable plasmonic nanostructures constituted by Ag nanoparticles on flexible elastomeric matrices are synthesized and used as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates.
Iron(ii) bromide-catalyzed oxidative coupling of benzylamines with ortho-substituted anilines: synthesis of 1,3-benzazoles
Authors: Gopalaiah Kovuru , Chandrudu Sankala Naga
Published: December 2014

An iron(ii) bromide-catalyzed oxidative coupling of benzylamines with 2-amino/hydroxy/mercapto-anilines has been developed, allowing the synthesis of a diversity of substituted 1,3-benzazoles in good to excellent yields.
Porous NiO nanosheets self-grown on alumina tube using a novel flash synthesis and their gas sensing properties
Authors: Dong Chengjun , Xiao Xuechun , Chen Gang , Guan Hongtao , Wang Yude , Djerdj Igor
Published: December 2014

Porous NiO nanosheets self-grown on alumina tube using a novel flash synthesis displayed wide dynamic range detection to VOC vapours.
One-pot synthesis of alkyl pyrrole-2-carboxylates starting from β-nitroacrylates and primary amines
Authors: Palmieri Alessandro , Gabrielli Serena , Parlapiano Marco , Ballini Roberto
Published: December 2014

Herein, we present a new, efficient, one-pot synthesis of pyrrole-2-carboxylate derivatives starting from ketal-functionalized β-nitroacrylates in combination with primary amines under acidic heterogeneous conditions.
Generation of controlled monodisperse porous polymer particles by dipped inkjet injection
Authors: Yang Jianmin , Katagiri Daisuke , Mao Sifeng , Zeng Hulie , Nakajima Hizuru , Uchiyama Katsumi
Published: December 2014

A piezoelectric drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet microchip with its nozzle immersed in organic phase was used to generate monodisperse porous polymer particles.
Polyelectrolyte assembled graphene oxide coated silica composite as sorbent for solid-phase extraction of cinnamic acid and its derivatives
Authors: Liu Houmei , Liang Xiaojing , Wang Xusheng , Guo Yong , Liu Xia
Published: December 2014

PDDA@GO@SiO2 has been prepared and used as sorbent for solid-phase extraction of cinnamic acid and its derivatives.
Electrospun zinc oxide nanofibers for direct selective electrochemical detection of biological compounds
Authors: Arvand Majid , Tajyani Sepideh
Published: December 2014

Zinc oxide nanofibers modified carbon paste electrode was used for direct selective electrochemical detection of AA, UA and FA.
Incorporation of Coumarin 6 in cyclodextrins: microcrystals to lamellar composites
Authors: Ghosh Prasun , Das Tarasankar , Maity Arnab , Mondal Somen , Purkayastha Pradipta
Published: December 2014

Coumarin 6 precipitates in water as microcrystals resulting in a considerable loss in fluorescence yield that can be considerably revived using cyclodextrin.
Fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes
Authors: Wang Xiaobai , Ye Qun , Song Jing , Cho Ching Mui , He Chaobin , Xu Jianwei
Published: December 2014

A series of fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) oils were readily prepared via hydrosilylation reaction.
Preparation of magnetic pH-sensitive microcapsules with an alginate base as colon specific drug delivery systems through an entirely green route
Authors: Abbaszad Rafi Abdolrahim , Mahkam Mehrdad
Published: December 2014

The aim of this work was to prepare pH-sensitive drug carriers for colon specific drug delivery through a completely green and environmentally friendly route (without using any organic solvents, hazardous chemicals and even a harsh procedure).
Cell membrane wrapping of a spherical thin elastic shell
Authors: Yi Xin , Gao Huajian
Published: December 2014

A theoretical study on cell membrane wrapping of a spherical thin elastic shell indicates that stiff nanocapsules achieve full wrapping easier than soft ones. The detailed analysis demonstrates how the wrapping degree depends on the size and stiffness of the nanocapsules, adhesion energy and membrane tension.
Graphene oxide modified polyamide nanofiltration membrane with improved flux and antifouling properties
Authors: Bano Saira , Mahmood Asif , Kim Seong-Joong , Lee Kew-Ho
Published: December 2014

Conceptual visualization of GO effect on fouling.
Effects of various π-conjugated spacers in thiadiazole[3,4-c]pyridine-cored panchromatic organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Hua Yong , He Jian , Zhang Caishun , Qin Chunjiang , Han Liyuan , Zhao Jianzhang , Chen Tao , Wong Wai-Yeung , Wong Wai-Kwok , Zhu Xunjin
Published: December 2014

A series of thiadiazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-cored organic sensitizers has been prepared for DSSC applications. The structural optimization with π-conjugated spacers enhanced the power conversion efficiency to 6.30% from 2.86%.
Effect of different lead precursors on perovskite solar cell performance and stability
Authors: Aldibaja Fadi Kamal , Badia Laura , Mas-Marzá Elena , Sánchez Rafael S. , Barea Eva M. , Mora-Sero Ivan
Published: December 2014

We present the use of halide (PbCl2) and non-halide lead precursors (Pb(OAc)2(OAc = CH3CH2COO−), Pb(NO3)2, Pb(acac)2(acac = (CH3COCHCOCH3)−) and PbCO3) for the preparation of perovskite solar cells.
Anomalous second-harmonic generation response in SrBPO5and BaBPO5
Authors: Lei Bing-Hua , Jing Qun , Yang Zhihua , Zhang Bingbing , Pan Shilie
Published: December 2014

Based on SHG-density and band-resolved analysis, we find that the BO4groups and the metal cation are the main contributors to the SHG effect in MBPO5(M = Ba, Sr), and not the PO4groups as previously anticipated.
Phosphorescence switch and logic gate of iridium(iii) complexes containing a triarylboron moiety triggered by fluoride and an electric field
Authors: Lin Wenpeng , Tan Qi , Liang Hua , Zhang Kenneth Yin , Liu Shujuan , Jiang Rui , Hu Rongrong , Xu Wenjuan , Zhao Qiang , Huang Wei
Published: December 2014

A new concept of phosphorescence switch and logic gate has been proposed based on iridium(iii) complexes containing triarylboron moieties.
Normal weight individuals who develop Type 2 diabetes: the personal fat threshold
Authors: Taylor Roy , Holman Rury R.
Published: December 2014

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is frequently regarded as a disease of obesity and its occurrence in individuals of normal body mass index (BMI) is often regarded as indicating a non-obesity-related subtype. However, the evidence for such a distinct, common subtype is lacking. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) cohort of people diagnosed with T2DM in the 1970s and 1980s had a median BMI of only 28 kg/m2. UKPDS data form the basis of current understanding of the condition even though one in three of those studied had a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2. BMI, though, is a population measure and not a rigid personal guide. Weight loss is considered de rigueur for treating obese diabetic individuals, but it is not usually considered for those deemed to have a normal BMI. Given the new evidence that early T2DM can be reversed to normal glucose tolerance by substantial weight loss, it is important to explain why non-overweight people respond to this intervention as well as obese individuals. We hypothesize that each individual has a personal fat threshold (PFT) which, if exceeded, makes likely the development of T2DM. Subsequent weight loss to take the individual below their level of susceptibility should allow return to normal glucose control. Crucially, the hypothesized PFT is independent of BMI. It allows both understanding of development of T2DM in the non-obese and remission of diabetes after substantial weight loss in people who remain obese by definition. To illustrate this concept, we present the distribution curve of BMI at diagnosis for the UKPDS cohort, together with a diagram explaining individual behaviour within the population. The concept of PFT is of practical benefit in explaining the onset of diabetes and its logical management to the non-obese majority of people with T2DM.
Switching‐based asymptotic stabilisation of underactuated ships with non‐diagonal terms in their system matrices
Authors: Zhang Zhongcai , Wu Yuqiang
Published: December 2014

Stabilisation is an issue of great practical importance to the ship industry. This study considers the global asymptotic stability controller for a class of underactuated surface vessel possessing non‐diagonal inertia and damping matrices. For the synthesis of controller, the investigated underactuated model is first converted into two cascade connected subsystems using input and state transformations. For these subsystems, it is shown that the stabilisation problem of this study can be reduced to the one of the second subsystem. By combining the method of adding a power integrator and the direct Lyapunov approach, a finite time switching control strategy is developed guaranteeing global asymptotic convergence of the full states to origin. The simulation results testify to the effectiveness of the presented control approach.
Compact chromium oxide thin film resistors for use in nanoscale quantum circuits
Authors: Nash C. R. , Fenton J. C. , Constantino N. G. N. , Warburton P. A.
Published: December 2014

We report on the electrical characterisation of a series of thin amorphous chromium oxide (CrOx) films, grown by dc sputtering, to evaluate their suitability for use as on-chip resistors in nanoelectronics. By increasing the level of oxygen doping, the room-temperature sheet resistance of the CrOx films was varied from 28 Ω/◻ to 32.6 kΩ/◻. The variation in resistance with cooling to 4.2 K in liquid helium was investigated; the sheet resistance at 4.2 K varied with composition from 65 Ω/◻ to above 20 GΩ/◻. All of the films measured displayed linear current–voltage characteristics at all measured temperatures. For on-chip devices for quantum phase-slip measurements using niobium–silicon nanowires, interfaces between niobium–silicon and chromium oxide are required. We also characterised the contact resistance for one CrOx composition at an interface with niobium–silicon. We found that a gold intermediate layer is favourable: the specific contact resistivity of chromium-oxide-to-gold interfaces was 0.14 mΩcm2, much lower than the value for direct CrOx to niobium–silicon contact. We conclude that these chromium oxide films are suitable for use in nanoscale circuits as high-value resistors, with resistivity tunable by oxygen content.
Inertial and surfactant effects on the steady droplet flow in cylindrical channels
Authors: Carroll Robert M. , Gupta Nivedita R.
Published: December 2014

The flow of neutrally buoyant droplets in circular channels at finite Reynolds numbers (0.1 ≤ Re ≤ 400) and moderate capillary numbers (0.005 ≤ Ca ≤ 0.1) is studied numerically using a front tracking method. The drops are either clean or contain surfactants which are modeled to behave according to the Langmuir equation of state. The numerical results agree well with previous studies in the Stokes flow regime for small, undeformed drops, as well as very large drops. Increasing the Reynolds number causes a non-monotonic trend in both the relative velocity of the drop and the extra pressure loss required to maintain a constant flow rate. The trends are attributed to changes in drop shape caused by increasing inertial effects. For moderate-sized drops with radii 0.5 to 0.9 times the tube radius, the velocity first decreases and then increases with Reynolds number. For larger drops with radii 1.2 to 1.5 times the tube radius, the effect of inertia is to further elongate the drop and a non-monotonic trend in velocity is not observed. At large Reynolds numbers, stable, oscillatory flows with shape changes confined to the rear of the drop are observed. For long viscous drops, the film thickness increases monotonically with the Reynolds number for all capillary and Reynolds numbers studied. In the presence of inertia, surfactant-laden drops show a maximum in the drop velocity (and a minimum in extra pressure loss) at an intermediate Biot number. In general, at large Reynolds numbers, the effects of surfactants tend to diminish as compared to previous Stokes flow simulations.
Electronic and magnetic properties of manganite thin films with different compositions and its correlation with transport properties: An X-ray resonant magnetic scattering study
Authors: Singh Surendra , Freeland J. W. , Fitzsimmons M. R. , Jeen H. , Biswas A.
Published: December 2014

Here, we present x-ray resonant magnetic dichroism and x-ray resonant magnetic scattering measurements of the temperature dependence of magnetism in Pr-doped La-Ca-Mn-O films grown on (110) NdGaO3 substrates. We observed thermal hysteresis of the ferromagnetism in one film that also showed large thermal hysteresis of ∼18 K in transport measurements. While in a second film of a different nominal chemistry, which showed very small thermal hysteresis ∼3 K in transport measurements, no thermal hysteresis of the ferromagnetism was observed. These macroscopic properties are correlated with evolution of surface magnetization across metal insulator transition for these films as observed by soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering measurements.
Dynamics of spintronic materials: Exploration in the time and frequency domain
Authors: Zabel Hartmut
Published: December 2014

X-ray and neutron reflectivity are mature experimental techniques for the exploration of film thicknesses and interface roughnesses on the nanoscale. Combining with photon and neutron polarization, these methods can be carried forward to the analysis of magnetic thin films and magnetic domain structures. New opportunities open up when these methods are used either in the time or in the frequency domain. Then dynamical processes can be studied such as domain oscillations, domain propagation, precession of spins, and damping effects. Two methods are discussed which have been developed recently: polarized neutron reflectivity from magnetic films in an alternating magnetic field and time resolved resonant magnetic x-ray reflectivity of the free precessional dynamics in films and multilayers.
Dispersion of polymer grafted nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposite films: Insights from surface x-ray scattering and microscopy
Authors: Chandran Sivasurender , Begam Nafisa , Basu J. K.
Published: December 2014

Dispersion of nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposite films determines the application potential of these systems as novel materials with unique physical properties. Grafting polymers to, mostly inorganic, nanoparticles has been suggested as an effective strategy to enhance dispersion and hence the efficacy of materials. In this review, we discuss the various parameters which control dispersion of polymer grafted nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposite films. We discuss how surface x-ray scattering and microscopy can provide complementary and unique information in thin polymer nanocomposite films to unravel the subtle interplay of entropic and surface interactions, mediated by confinement, that leads to enhanced dispersion of the nanoparticles in these films.
Effects of configurational changes on electrical resistivity during glass-liquid transition of two bulk metal-alloy glasses
Authors: Aji D. P. B. , Johari G. P.
Published: December 2014

Consequences of increase in structural fluctuations on heating Pd40Ni10Cu30P20 and Zr46.75Ti8.25Cu7.5Ni10Be27.5 through their glass to liquid transition range were investigated by measuring the electrical resistivity, ρ, an electron scattering property. The temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR = (1/ρ) dρ/dT) of the liquid and glassy states is negative. The plots of their ρ against T in the Tg (glass to liquid transition) range show a gradual change in the slope similar to the change observed generally for the plots of the density, elastic modulus, and refractive index. As fluctuations in the melt structure involve fewer configurations on cooling, ρ increases. In the energy landscape description, the melt's structure explores fewer minima with decrease in T, vibrational frequencies increase, and electron scattering and ρ increase. Plots of (−dρ/dT) against T resemble the plot of the specific heat of other glasses and show a sub-Tg feature and a rapid rise at T near Tg. Analysis shows that the magnitude of negative TCR is dominated by change in the phonon characteristics, and configurational fluctuations make it more negative. The TCR of the liquid and glassy states seems qualitatively consistent with the variation in the structure factor in Ziman's model for pure liquid metals as extended by Nagel to metal alloys and used to explain the negative TCR of a two-component metal glass.