bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymer-sorted (6,5) single-walled carbon nanotubes for solution-processed low-voltage flexible microelectronics
Authors: Bottacchi Francesca , Petti Luisa , Späth Florian , Namal Imge , Tröster Gerhard , Hertel Tobias , Anthopoulos Thomas D.
Published: May 2015

We report on low operating voltage transistors based on polymer-sorted semiconducting (6,5) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) networks processed from solution at room temperature. The (6,5) SWNTs were separated from the as-received carbon nanotubes mixture using a polyfluorene-based derivative as the sorting and dispersing polymer agent. As-prepared devices exhibit primarily p-type behavior with channel current on/off ratio >103 and hole mobility ≈2 cm2 V−1 s−1. These transistor characteristics enable realization of low-voltage unipolar inverters with wide noise margins and high signal gain (>5). Polymer/(6,5) SWNT transistors were also fabricated on free-standing polyimide foils. The devices exhibit even higher hole mobility (≈8 cm2 V−1 s−1) and on/off ratios (>104) while remaining fully functional when bent to a radius of 4 mm.
Non-linear mode interaction between spin torque driven and damped modes in spin torque nano-oscillators
Authors: Romera M. , Monteblanco E. , Garcia-Sanchez F. , Delaët B. , Buda-Prejbeanu L. D. , Ebels U.
Published: May 2015

The influence of dynamic coupling in between magnetic layers of a standard spin torque nano-oscillator composed of a synthetic antiferromagnet (SyF) as a polarizer and an in-plane magnetized free layer has been investigated. Experiments on spin valve nanopillars reveal non-continuous features such as kinks in the frequency field dependence that cannot be explained without such interactions. Comparison of experiments to numerical macrospin simulations shows that this is due to non-linear interaction between the spin torque (STT) driven mode and a damped mode that is mediated via the third harmonics of the STT mode. It only occurs at large applied currents and thus at large excitation amplitudes of the STT mode. Under these conditions, a hybridized mode characterized by a strong reduction of the linewidth appears. The reduced linewidth can be explained by a reduction of the non-linear contribution to the linewidth via an enhanced effective damping. Interestingly, the effect depends also on the exchange interaction within the SyF. An enhancement of the current range of reduced linewidth by a factor of two and a reduction of the minimum linewidth by a factor of two are predicted from simulation when the exchange interaction strength is reduced by 30%. These results open directions to optimize the design and microwave performances of spin torque nano-oscillators taking advantage of the coupling mechanisms.
Temperature dependence of the current in Schottky-barrier source-gated transistors
Authors: Sporea R. A. , Overy M. , Shannon J. M. , Silva S. R. P.
Published: May 2015

The temperature dependence of the drain current is an important parameter in thin-film transistors. In this paper, we propose that in source-gated transistors (SGTs), this temperature dependence can be controlled and tuned by varying the length of the source electrode. SGTs comprise a reverse biased potential barrier at the source which controls the current. As a result, a large activation energy for the drain current may be present which, although useful in specific temperature sensing applications, is in general deleterious in many circuit functions. With support from numerical simulations with Silvaco Atlas, we describe how increasing the length of the source electrode can be used to reduce the activation energy of SGT drain current, while maintaining the defining characteristics of SGTs: low saturation voltage, high output impedance in saturation, and tolerance to geometry variations. In this study, we apply the dual current injection modes to obtain drain currents with high and low activation energies and propose mechanisms for their exploitation in future large-area integrated circuit designs.
The physical properties of Gd3Ru: A real candidate for a practical cryogenic refrigerator
Authors: Monteiro J. C. B. , dos Reis R. D. , Gandra F. G.
Published: May 2015

The magnetization, the specific heat, and the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) for Gd3Ru are presented as function of temperature at different magnetic fields. The results show a maximum entropy change −ΔS= 30 J/kg K @ 5 T, which is the highest value for the R3M compounds. With a non-hysteretic transition of first order type at TC = 54 K, it presents a temperature change ΔTmax = 5.7 K around 59 K with a refrigerating cooling power of 700 J/kg and these results are comparable to values found for giant MCE materials. This compound is stable and able to operate at temperatures between 90 K and 40 K with a minimum −ΔS= 5 J/kg K. These figures were obtained by sweeping the magnetic field without using sample preparation routines. This methodology is appropriate to evaluate the MCE for the cycling process of a cryogenic magnetic refrigerator.
Long range surface plasmon resonance with ultra-high penetration depth for self-referenced sensing and ultra-low detection limit using diverging beam approach
Authors: Isaacs Sivan , Abdulhalim Ibrahim
Published: May 2015

Using an insulator-metal-insulator structure with dielectric having refractive index (RI) larger than the analyte, long range surface plasmon (SP) resonance exhibiting ultra-high penetration depth is demonstrated for sensing applications of large bioentities at wavelengths in the visible range. Based on the diverging beam approach in Kretschmann-Raether configuration, one of the SP resonances is shown to shift in response to changes in the analyte RI while the other is fixed; thus, it can be used as a built in reference. The combination of the high sensitivity, high penetration depth and self-reference using the diverging beam approach in which a dark line is detected of the high sensitivity, high penetration depth, self-reference, and the diverging beam approach in which a dark line is detected using large number of camera pixels with a smart algorithm for sub-pixel resolution, a sensor with ultra-low detection limit is demonstrated suitable for large bioentities.
Magnonic beam splitter: The building block of parallel magnonic circuitry
Authors: Sadovnikov A. V. , Davies C. S. , Grishin S. V. , Kruglyak V. V. , Romanenko D. V. , Sharaevskii Yu. P. , Nikitov S. A.
Published: May 2015

We demonstrate a magnonic beam splitter that works by inter-converting magnetostatic surface and backward-volume spin waves propagating in orthogonal sections of a T-shaped yttrium iron garnet structure. The inter-conversion is enabled by the overlap of the surface and volume spin wave bands. This overlap results from the demagnetising field induced along the transversely magnetised section(-s) of the structure and the quantization of the transverse wave number of the propagating spin waves (which are therefore better described as waveguide modes). In agreement with numerical micromagnetic simulations, our Brillouin light scattering imaging experiments reveal that, depending on the frequency, the incident fundamental waveguide magnonic modes may also be converted into higher order waveguide modes. The magnonic beam splitter demonstrated here is an important step towards the development of parallel logic circuitry of magnonics.
Numerical simulation on the opto-electro-kinetic patterning for rapid concentration of particles in a microchannel
Authors: Kim Dong , Shim Jaesool , Chuang Han-Sheng , Kim Kyung Chun
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a mathematical model for laser-induced rapid electro-kinetic patterning (REP) to elucidate the mechanism for concentrating particles in a microchannel non-destructively and non-invasively. COMSOL®(v4.2a) multiphysics software was used to examine the effect of a variety of parameters on the focusing performance of the REP. A mathematical model of the REP was developed based on the AC electrothermal flow (ACET) equations, the dielectrophoresis (DEP) equation, the energy balance equation, the Navier-Stokes equation, and the concentration-distribution equation. The medium was assumed to be a diluted solute, and different electric potentials and laser illumination were applied to the desired place. Gold (Au) electrodes were used at the top and bottom of a microchannel. For model validation, the simulation results were compared with the experimental data. The results revealed the formation of a toroidal microvortex via the ACET effect, which was generated due to laser illumination and joule-heating in the area of interest. In addition, under some conditions, such as the frequency of AC, the DEP velocity, and the particle size, the ACET force enhances and compresses resulting in the concentration of particles. The conditions of the DEP velocity and the ACET velocity are presented in detail with a comparison of the experimental results.
Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the Heusler alloy Co2TiSi/GaAs(001) hybrid structure
Authors: Dau M. T. , Jenichen B. , Herfort J.
Published: May 2015

Investigation of the thickness dependence of the magnetic anisotropy in B2-type Co2TiSi films on GaAs(001), shows a pronounced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at 10 K for thicknesses up to 13.5 nm. We have evidenced that the interfacial anisotropy induced by interface clusters has a strong influence on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of this hybrid structure, especially at temperatures lower than the blocking temperature of the clusters (28 K). However, as this influence can be ruled out at higher temperatures, the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy which is found to persist up to room-temperature can be ascribed to the magnetic properties of the Co2TiSi films. For thicknesses larger than 15.0 nm, we observe an alignment of the magnetic easy axis parallel to the sample surface, which is most likely due to the shape anisotropy and the film structure.
Structure, Electrical and Oxygen Transport Properties of Fe-Doped SrCoO3—δ Perovskites
Authors: Yi Jian-xin , Feng Shao-jie , Zeng Qing , Chen Chu-sheng
Published: May 2015

The structure-property relationship of Fe-doped SrCoO3—δ was studied. With increase of Fe content in SrCo1—xFexO3—δ from x=0 to x=0.2, the phase composition changed progressively in the order of hexagonal→brownmillerite (main)+hexagonal→cubic (main)+ brownmillerite→single cubic phase. Transition between the hexagonal/brownmillerite phase and the cubic phase took place with variation of the operating conditions, and was associated with remarkable changes in the electrical conductivity and oxygen permeation flux.
Effects of Hydroxylamine Sulfate and Sodium Nitrite on Microstructure and Friction Behavior of Zinc Phosphating Coating on High Carbon Steel
Authors: Xu Yu-dong , Qi San , Wang Lei , Shi Min , Ding Ning , Pang Zhi-cheng , Wang Quan , Peng Xu-dong
Published: May 2015

Hydroxylamine sulfate (HAS) and sodium nitrite are used as the accelerators for zinc phosphate coating on high carbon steel. Phase evolution of phosphate coating was investigated by X-ray diffraction. It is found that the phosphating coatings are mainly composed of hopeite Zn3Fe(PO4)2·4H2O and phosphophyllite Zn2Fe(PO4)2·4H2O. The microstructural changes of the phosphate coating, as a function of phosphating time, were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Four-ball friction experiments reveal that hydroxylamine sulfate instead of sodium nitrite can effectively reduce the friction coefficient of lubricated phosphating coating. Therefore, it may be expected that HAS will be widely used as a fast and ECO-friendly accelerator in phosphate industry.
Characterization of the Excited State on Methanol/TiO2(110) Interface
Authors: Wang Zhi-qiang , Hao Qun-qing , Mao Xin-chun , Zhou Chuan-yao , Ma Zhi-bo , Ren Ze-feng , Dai Dong-xu , Yang Xue-ming
Published: May 2015

The electronic structure of methanol/TiO2(110) interface has been studied by photoemission spectroscopy. The pronounced resonance which appears at 5.5 eV above the Fermi level in two-photon photoemission spectroscopy (2PPE) is associated with the photocatalyzed dissociation of methanol at fivefold coordinated Ti sites (Ti5c) on TiO2(110) surface [Chemical Science 1, 575 (2010)]. To check whether this resonance signal arises from initial or intermediate states, photon energy dependent 2PPE and comparison between one-photon photoemission spectroscopy and 2PPE have been performed. Both results consistently suggest the resonance signal originates from the initially unoccupied intermediate states, i.e., excited states. Dispersion measurements suggest the excited state is localized. Time-resolved studies show the lifetime of the excited state is 24 fs. This work presents comprehensive characterization of the excited states on methanol/TiO2(110) interface, and provides elaborate experimental data for the development of theoretical methods in reproducing the excited states on TiO2 surfaces and interfaces.
A possible link between hydraulic properties and leaf habits in Hevea brasiliensis
Authors: Chen Jun-Wen , Cao Kun-Fang
Published: May 2015

A link exists between hydraulic traits and leaf habit. However, few attempts have addressed a possible link between hydraulic traits and altered leaf habit in introduced ranges. Within its native range, the Amazon rainforest, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss) Muell. Arg. is an evergreen but it becomes drought-deciduous in non-native ranges. The reason for this change remains poorly understood. The hydraulic-related traits, gas exchange rates and water status of H. brasiliensis and the co-occurring evergreen Drypetes indica (Muell. Arg.) Pax et Hoffm. were examined in Xishuangbanna, China. The water potential at turgor loss point in both species almost overlapped, but the water potential at which leaf relative water content reached 70% was more negative in D. indica. The water loss rate from excised leaves was quicker in H. brasiliensis. Leaf and stem hydraulic conductivity were more susceptible to drought-induced embolisms in H. brasiliensis than in D. indica. Vessels were significantly wider in H. brasiliensis but D. indica had more vessels. H. brasiliensis displayed higher rain-season gas exchange rates than D. indica. During the dry season, low soil water potential rendered water transport inefficient in H. brasiliensis; this effect was less pronounced in D. indica. D. indica has traits that help prevent hydraulic failure but has a low photosynthetic capacity. The opposite was found for H. brasiliensis. The results suggest that a combination of hydraulic traits, gas exchange characteristics and water status during the dry season might trigger a change in the leaf habits of H. brasiliensis in introduced ranges.
Adoptive transfer of transforming growth factor-β1-induced CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells prevents immune response-mediated spontaneous abortion
Authors: Qiu Tian , Teng Yincheng , Wang Yudong , Xu Liang
Published: May 2015

The effects of adoptive transfer of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced regulatory T (Treg) cells in preventing spontaneous abortion in mice were investigated. CD4+CD25– cells were isolated from the spleens of pregnant CBA/J mice and induced into Treg cells positive for CD4, CD25 and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) ex vivo using interleukin (IL)-2 and TGF-β1. CBA/J mice were mated with DBA/2J mice to establish a model of spontaneous abortion and, on the first day of pregnancy, mice were injected intravenously with 2 × 105 either freshly isolated Treg cells or those induced with TGF-β1. After 14 days, the surviving and reabsorbed fetuses in both groups were counted, and serum cytokine concentrations were measured by ELISA. Adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+ or TGF-β1-induced Treg cells significantly reduced the fetal resorption rate, increased serum IL-10 and TGF-β1 concentrations and decreased interferon-γ levels. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that adoptive transfer of TGF-β1-induced Treg cells prevents spontaneous abortion in mice by increasing the secretion of T helper (Th) 2 cytokines and decreasing the secretion of Th1 cytokines.
A tale of two presidents: personality cult and symbolic nation-building in Turkmenistan
Authors: Polese Abel , Horák Slavomir
Published: May 2015

This article proposes a comparison of the attitudes of the first and second presidents of Turkmenistan to discuss possible overlap between personality cult, as it has been initiated and developed by the two presidents after independence, and nation-building narratives in the country. Nation-building in post-Soviet spaces has been studied comprehensively, but this paper is distinguished by two interpretative frameworks. First, this article is possibly the first comparison of personality cult as it has been constructed by the two Turkmen presidents since 1991. Second, it looks at some specific aspects of the personality cult as possible markers of a Turkmen national identity that becomes, by force of this, de-ethnicized. We suggest that a number of idiosyncratic aspects of the personality cult in Turkmenistan contribute to construct an official nation-building narrative so concentrated on the figure of the president as to minimize the ethnic features of nation-building measures that scholars have noticed in a wide range of cases in the post-socialist region.
Pathogenicity of Members of the Vibrionaceae Family to Cultured Juvenile Sablefish
Authors: Arkoosh Mary R. , Dietrich Joseph P.
Published: May 2015

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria are a prized seafood species due to their high oil content and white flaky flesh. Raising these species in culture can help to provide an important source of protein for humans and relief to declining wild fish populations. Understanding the environmental factors that influence the production of Sablefish is important for successful culturing. The significance of host–pathogen interactions in Sablefish culture and the resulting environmental implications are unknown. Pathogens could potentially cause losses of cultured Sablefish stocks due to disease, while Sablefish cultured in net pens may also serve as reservoirs for pathogens and potentially transmit disease to wild fish species. In this initial study, the susceptibility of juvenile Sablefish to three bacterial pathogens from the family Vibrionaceae was examined. Listonella anguillarum, Vibrio ordalii, and V. splendidus can pose serious economic threats to cultured fish and shellfish. Groups of juvenile Sablefish were exposed to five concentrations of each of the pathogens. Sablefish were susceptible to L. anguillarum, but were resistant to V. ordalii and V. splendidus at exposure concentrations of ≤1.32 × 107 CFU/mL and ≤3.57 × 106 CFU/mL, respectively. The greatest L. anguillarum concentration examined (8.7 × 106 CFU/mL) resulted in 24% mortality in juvenile Sablefish. A 24% loss of Sablefish stock could significantly influence an aquaculture program. As determined by multiple logistic regression, the survival of Sablefish to L. anguillarum exposure was significantly affected by their body mass, and larger fish had a greater probability of survival. Aquaculture operations could employ various strategies to minimize the loss of juvenile Sablefish by accounting for their size and known susceptibilities to pathogens.

Received December 9, 2014; accepted February 7, 2015
Relationship between the risk for a shrimp allergy and freshness or cooking
Authors: Usui Masakatsu , Harada Akihito , Yasumoto Shinya , Sugiura Yoshimasa , Nishidai Anri , Ikarashi Maria , Takaba Honami , Miyasaki Taiko , Azakami Hiroyuki , Kondo Masakazu
Published: May 2015

Tropomyosins are defined as risk factors for shrimp allergy. However, their concentration in different preparations has not been clarified. We quantified the tropomyosin concentration in shrimp meat, which was cooked using several methods or was stored under various conditions. The results demonstrated that shrimp meat from various preparations and storage conditions maintained tropomyosin concentrations that were sufficient to cause food allergies.
On Markov processes with polynomial conditional moments
Authors: Szabłowski Paweł
Published: May 2015

We study properties of a subclass of Markov processes that have all moments being continuous functions of the time parameter and, more importantly, are characterized by the property that say their

n
−

n-

th conditional moment given the past is also a polynomial of degree not exceeding

n
.

n.

Of course all processes with independent increments and with all moments existing, belong to this class. We give a characterization of them within the studied class. We indicate other examples of such process. Besides we indicate families of polynomials that have the property of constituting martingales. We also study conditions under which processes from the analyzed class have orthogonal polynomial martingales and further are harnesses or quadratic harnesses. Consequently we generalize some of the recent results on quadratic harnesses. We provide examples illustrating developed theory and also provide some interesting open questions. To make the paper interesting for a wider range of readers, we provide a short introduction formulated in the language of measures on the plane.
A quadratic Poisson Gel’fand-Kirillov problem in prime characteristic
Authors: Launois Stéphane , Lecoutre César
Published: May 2015

The quadratic Poisson Gel’fand-Kirillov problem asks whether the field of fractions of a Poisson algebra is Poisson birationally equivalent to a Poisson affine space, i.e. to a polynomial algebra

K

[

X
1

,
…
,

X
n

]

\mathbb {K}[X_1, \dots , X_n]

with Poisson bracket defined by

{

X
i

,

X
j

}
=

λ

i
j

X
i

X
j

\{X_i,X_j\}=\lambda _{ij} X_iX_j

for some skew-symmetric matrix

(

λ

i
j

)
∈

M
n

(

K

)

(\lambda _{ij}) \in M_n(\mathbb {K})

. This problem was studied in 2011 by Goodearl and Launois over a field of characteristic

0
0

by using a Poisson version of the deleting derivation homomorphism of Cauchon. In this paper, we study the quadratic Poisson Gel’fand-Kirillov problem over a field of arbitrary characteristic. In particular, we prove that the quadratic Poisson Gel’fand-Kirillov problem is satisfied for a large class of Poisson algebras arising as semiclassical limits of quantised coordinate rings. We introduce the concept of higher Poisson derivation, which allows us to extend the Poisson version of the deleting derivation homomorphism from the characteristic 0 case to the case of arbitrary characteristic.

When a torus is acting rationally by Poisson automorphisms on a Poisson polynomial algebra arising as the semiclassical limit of a quantised coordinate ring, we prove (under some technical assumptions) that quotients by Poisson prime torus-invariant ideals also satisfy the quadratic Poisson Gel’fand-Kirillov problem. In particular, we show that coordinate rings of determinantal varieties satisfy the quadratic Poisson Gel’fand-Kirillov problem.
On the distribution of values of certain word maps
Authors: Larsen Michael , Shalev Aner
Published: May 2015

We prove that, for any positive integers

m
,
n

m, n

, the word map

(
x
,
y
)
↦

x
m

y
n

(x,y) \mapsto x^my^n

is almost measure preserving on finite simple groups. This extends the case

m
=
n
=
2

m=n=2

obtained in 2009. Along the way we obtain results of independent interest on fibers of word maps and on character values.
Anniversary of the discovery ofsecmutants by Novick and Schekman
Authors: Spang Anne
Published: May 2015

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the isolation of 23 SEC genes. These genes all encode key regulators of the secretory pathway, and much of our knowledge of the secretory pathway is based on this initial discovery. The identification of the SEC genes is a result of combining genetics, biochemistry, and electron microscopy in a very clever way. Scientists have been busy ever since seeking to understand the function and regulation of these genes and to identify further key players in the process. Although most of the machinery acting along the secretory pathway is known and its function generally understood, knowledge of regulation of the pathway under various conditions is still scarce and will keep researchers busy for years to come.
Spatial distribution of cell–cell and cell–ECM adhesions regulates force balance while main­taining E-cadherin molecular tension in cell pairs
Authors: Sim Joo Yong , Moeller Jens , Hart Kevin C. , Ramallo Diego , Vogel Viola , Dunn Alex R. , Nelson W. James , Pruitt Beth L.
Published: May 2015

Mechanical linkage between cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesions regulates cell shape changes during embryonic development and tissue homoeostasis. We examined how the force balance between cell–cell and cell–ECM adhesions changes with cell spread area and aspect ratio in pairs of MDCK cells. We used ECM micropatterning to drive different cytoskeleton strain energy states and cell-generated traction forces and used a Förster resonance energy transfer tension biosensor to ask whether changes in forces across cell–cell junctions correlated with E-cadherin molecular tension. We found that continuous peripheral ECM adhesions resulted in increased cell–cell and cell–ECM forces with increasing spread area. In contrast, confining ECM adhesions to the distal ends of cell–cell pairs resulted in shorter junction lengths and constant cell–cell forces. Of interest, each cell within a cell pair generated higher strain energies than isolated single cells of the same spread area. Surprisingly, E-cadherin molecular tension remained constant regardless of changes in cell–cell forces and was evenly distributed along cell–cell junctions independent of cell spread area and total traction forces. Taken together, our results showed that cell pairs maintained constant E-cadherin molecular tension and regulated total forces relative to cell spread area and shape but independently of total focal adhesion area.
The Happy Farmer: The Effect of Nonpecuniary Benefits on Behavior
Authors: Howley Peter
Published: May 2015

I test empirically the relationship between farmers’ perceptions of the nonpecuniary benefits from farming with a variety of field behaviors such as disinvestment, production, diversification, and off‐farm labor market participation. Results suggest that nonpecuniary benefits have an important influence on a wide range of farmer activities. While costs and returns are clearly important, I suggest that nonpecuniary benefits may make some choices more attractive than others which may be more rewarding financially.
Carotid Artery Applanation Tonometry Does Not Cause Significant
Baroreceptor Activation
Authors: Spronck Bart , Delhaas Tammo , Op ‘t Roodt Jos , Reesink Koen D.
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Carotid artery applanation tonometry is widely used in estimating local carotid artery pressure waveforms and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity. However, the substantial pressure applied locally to the carotid artery with applanation tonometry might well evoke a baroreceptor response, resulting in bradycardia and hypotension. Therefore, when carotid and femoral tonometry are performed sequentially, baroreceptor activation could lead to different hemodynamic conditions between carotid and femoral acquisitions. Combining those acquisitions into one pulse wave velocity measure would be erroneous. In this study, we assessed whether carotid applanation tonometry has an influence on heart rate and blood pressure.

METHODS

In 26 hypertensive subjects, heart rate and blood pressure were assessed by continuous finger pulse waveform recording during carotid as well as femoral applanation tonometry. Both carotid and femoral acquisitions were measured in alternation and in triplicate. Median averaging over the 3 carotid and femoral measurements, respectively, was used to obtain a subject’s median heart rate and blood pressure during carotid as well as femoral tonometry.

RESULTS

Difference in heart rate during carotid and femoral tonometry was −0.7±2.2 bpm. Differences in systolic, pulse, and diastolic blood pressure were −0.7±6.8, −0.1±3.8, and −0.3±3.5mm Hg, respectively. All differences were statistically nonsignificant. Confidence intervals were used to calculate the maximum absolute difference at 95% certainty, which was 1.6 bpm for heart rate and ≤3.5mm Hg for all blood pressures.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that in our study, carotid artery applanation tonometry as performed by an experienced researcher did not cause clinically significant baroreceptor activation.
Numerical simulations of the competition between wind-driven mixing and surface heating in triggering spring phytoplankton blooms
Authors: Enriquez Rica Mae , Taylor John R.
Published: May 2015

About 60 years ago, Sverdrup formalized the critical depth hypothesis to explain the timing of the spring phytoplankton bloom in terms of the depth of the surface mixed layer. In recent years, a number of refinements and alternatives to the critical depth hypothesis have been proposed, including the critical turbulence hypothesis which states that a bloom can occur when turbulent mixing is sufficiently weak, irrespective of the mixed layer depth. Here, we examine the relative influence of wind-driven mixing and net surface heating on phytoplankton growth. Of particular interest is whether wind-driven mixing can delay the spring bloom after winter convection gives way to net surface warming. We address these questions using high-resolution large-eddy simulations (LES) coupled with a simple phytoplankton model. We also describe an analytical phytoplankton model with a formulation for the turbulent mixing based on the LES results. For a constant, prescribed surface heat flux, net phytoplankton growth is seen when the windstress is smaller than a critical value. Similarly, for a constant windstress, a critical heat flux separates cases with growing and decaying phytoplankton populations. Using the LES results, we characterize the critical windstress and critical heat flux in terms of other physical and biological parameters and propose a simple expression for each based on the analysis of the analytical model. Phytoplankton growth begins when the mixing depth shoals above the critical depth, consistent with the critical depth hypothesis. Our results provide a framework to interpret blooms in other conditions where both the depth and the intensity of turbulent mixing might be crucial factors in influencing phytoplankton growth.
Quantification of interactions between the Portuguese sardine purse-seine fishery and cetaceans
Authors: Marçalo Ana , Katara Isidora , Feijó Diana , Araújo Helder , Oliveira Isabel , Santos Jorge , Ferreira Marisa , Monteiro Sílvia , Pierce Graham J. , Silva Alexandra , Vingada José
Published: May 2015

Interactions between cetaceans and the purse-seine fishery operating along the whole Portuguese continental coast were studied based on on-board observations from 2010 to 2011. Cetacean presence and mortality were estimated and characteristics under which interactions were most likely to occur were identified. Observations were made on 163 fishing trips (0.7% of the average annual number of fishing trips) and 302 fishing operations/hauls. Cetaceans were present during 16.9% of fishing events; common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) accounted for 96% of occurrences, mostly overnight in summer and early autumn. Regression models showed that cetacean presence during a fishing set was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with sardine catches, effort, and latitude/longitude. Encirclement and mortality occurred in 2.3 and 1.0% of fishing events, respectively. Encircled species were the common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), but only common dolphin showed mortality (three individuals); raised to fleet level, estimated total mortality rates of common dolphins were 69 (95% CI 37–110) in the north and 91 (95% CI 55–165) in the south for 2010 and 78 (95% CI 47–140) in the south only for 2011. The estimated annual mortality rate due to purse seining is 113 (95% CI 3–264) common dolphins, which is ∼0.63% of the current most optimistic estimate of population size for the Portuguese fishing area (SCANS II). The wide confidence limits, as well as variation between years, reflect low observer coverage, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring to cover gaps in the spatial and seasonal distribution of observer effort and provide reliable estimates of bycatch.
Adjunctive Mitomycin C or Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Yazdani Shahin , Mahboobipour Hassan , Pakravan Mohammad , Doozandeh Azadeh , Ghahari Elham
Published: May 2015

Purpose:

To determine whether adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) or amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) improve the outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.

Methods:

This double-blind, stratified, 3-armed randomized clinical trial includes 75 eyes of 75 patients aged 7 to 75 years with refractory glaucoma. Eligible subjects underwent stratified block randomization; eyes were first stratified to surgery in the superior or inferior quadrants based on feasibility; in each subgroup, eyes were randomly assigned to the study arms using random blocks: conventional AGV implantation (group A, 25 eyes), AGV with MMC (group B, 25 eyes), and AGV with AMT (group C, 25 eyes).

Results:

The 3 study groups were comparable regarding baseline characteristics and mean follow-up (P=0.288). A total of 68 patients including 23 eyes in group A, 25 eyes in group B, and 20 eyes group C completed the follow-up period and were analyzed. Intraocular pressure was lower in the MMC group only 3 weeks postoperatively (P=0.04) but comparable at other time intervals. Overall success rate was comparable in the 3 groups at 12 months (P=0.217). The number of eyes requiring medications (P=0.30), time to initiation of medications (P=0.13), and number of medications (P=0.22) were comparable. Hypertensive phase was slightly but insignificantly more common with standard surgery (82%) as compared with MMC-augmented (60%) and AMT-augmented (70%) procedures (P=0.23). Complications were comparable over 1 year (P=0.28).

Conclusions:

Although adjunctive MMC and AMT were safe during AGV implantation, they did not influence success rates or intraocular pressure outcomes. Complications, including hypertensive phase, were also comparable.
Outcomes of electrical injuries in the emergency department: a 10-year retrospective study
Authors: Pawlik Andrea M. , Lampart Alina , Stephan Frank P. , Bingisser Roland , Ummenhofer Wolfgang , Nickel Christian H.
Published: May 2015

Objective

Electrical injuries are challenging to assess and current guidelines are based on few studies and case reports. Recommendations on cardiac monitoring were published for certain risk factors, but indications for hospital observation are less clear. Furthermore, the risk of late arrhythmias is not known. Therefore, we aimed to assess possible cardiac complications, including death and immediate or delayed dysrhythmia, after an electrical accident in a sample of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods

Medical records of patients presenting to the ED of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, during 2004–2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up in terms of the survival of these patients was performed through hospital databases, and direct contact with patients and caregivers. The primary endpoint was in hospital mortality and mortality within 10, 30, and 90 days, respectively. For our secondary endpoint, we investigated patient charts for the occurrence of dysrhythmias and laboratory findings.

Results

During the study period, a total of 240 patients were identified. Twelve patients were lost to follow-up. Initial ECG was performed in 234 (97.5%) patients and 149 (62.1%) patients received cardiac monitoring. During the time of monitoring, four dysrhythmias (sinus bradycardia, two ventricular premature beats, and atrial fibrillation) were observed. All patients survived, and no potential late serious dysrhythmia requiring a medical intervention was recorded.

Conclusion

No cardiac complications occurred during ED stay or during the 90-day follow-up period. Therefore, the need for continued cardiac monitoring after electrical injury is not supported by our data.
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening at Community-Based Primary Care Clinics in San Francisco
Authors: Marx Rani , Tse Winnie M. , Golden Lisa , Johnson Elizabeth C.
Published: May 2015

Context:

Adult colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) can lower disease incidence and mortality. However, widespread implementation is inconsistent, especially in the public sector. While specific interventions to increase CRCS have been identified, firsthand accounts of CRCS improvement efforts using multiple techniques in public sector settings are lacking.

Objective:

A program evaluation was conducted to assess the effect of implementing a culture of continuous quality improvement (QI) on CRCS practices and prevalence. A multipronged incremental effort over more than a decade to increase CRCS at the San Francisco Department of Public Health is described.

Setting:

Community-based primary care clinics.

Participants:

Departmental activities and 5 clinics providing full-scope primary care to CRCS-eligible adults who participated in departmental activities and outreach interventions were assessed.

Main Outcome Measures:

Departmental and clinic-specific CRCS activities and prevalence.

Results:

Efforts included departmental prioritization; data-driven QI incorporating routine data sharing (monthly reports and data walls); departmental and clinic-specific QI committees; panel management (a team approach to generation of eligibility lists prior to scheduled visits, routinely offering screening during appointments or mailing test kits for patients without appointments); and departmental mail and phone outreach events. Screening ranged from 36.6% to 54.4% in 2010; in 2013, it ranged from 43.6% to 70.2%. Increases occurred consistently over that time in 3 of the 5 clinics and ranged from 1.1% to 14.5%; decreases occurred during 2 intervals in 2 clinics and ranged from 2.3% to 4.3%.

Conclusion:

CRCS prevalence can be markedly improved in the public sector with a data-driven panel management approach supported by departmental and clinic-specific QI committees and group outreach events. Continued prioritization of and focus on CRCS is required to ensure long-term success. Even small increases will result in avoidable morbidity and mortality associated with this highly preventable disease.
Regularity underlies erratic population abundances in marine ecosystems
Authors: Sun Jie , Cornelius Sean P. , Janssen John , Gray Kimberly A. , Motter Adilson E.
Published: May 2015

The abundance of a species' population in an ecosystem is rarely stationary, often exhibiting large fluctuations over time. Using historical data on marine species, we show that the year-to-year fluctuations of population growth rate obey a well-defined double-exponential (Laplace) distribution. This striking regularity allows us to devise a stochastic model despite seemingly irregular variations in population abundances. The model identifies the effect of reduced growth at low population density as a key factor missed in current approaches of population variability analysis and without which extinction risks are severely underestimated. The model also allows us to separate the effect of demographic stochasticity and show that single-species growth rates are dominantly determined by stochasticity common to all species. This dominance—and the implications it has for interspecies correlations, including co-extinctions—emphasizes the need for ecosystem-level management approaches to reduce the extinction risk of the individual species themselves.
Variable coloration is associated with dampened population fluctuations in noctuid moths
Authors: Forsman Anders , Betzholtz Per-Eric , Franzén Markus
Published: May 2015

Theory and recent reviews state that greater genetic and phenotypic variation should be beneficial for population abundance and stability. Experimental evaluations of this prediction are rare, of short duration and conducted under controlled environmental settings. The question whether greater diversity in functionally important traits stabilizes populations under more complex ecological conditions in the wild has not been systematically evaluated. Moths are mainly nocturnal, with a large variation in colour patterns among species, and constitute an important food source for many types of organisms. Here, we report the results of a long-term (2003–2013) monitoring study of 115 100 noctuid moths from 246 species. Analysis of time-series data provide rare evidence that species with higher levels of inter-individual variation in colour pattern have higher average abundances and undergo smaller between-year fluctuations compared with species having less variable colour patterns. The signature of interspecific temporal synchronization of abundance fluctuations was weak, suggesting that the dynamics were driven by species-specific biotic interactions rather than by some common, density-independent factor(s). We conclude that individual variation in colour patterns dampens population abundance fluctuations, and suggest that this may partly reflect that colour pattern polymorphism provides protection from visually oriented predators and parasitoids.
Adapting environmental management to uncertain but inevitable change
Authors: Nicol Sam , Fuller Richard A. , Iwamura Takuya , Chadès Iadine
Published: May 2015

Implementation of adaptation actions to protect biodiversity is limited by uncertainty about the future. One reason for this is the fear of making the wrong decisions caused by the myriad future scenarios presented to decision-makers. We propose an adaptive management (AM) method for optimally managing a population under uncertain and changing habitat conditions. Our approach incorporates multiple future scenarios and continually learns the best management strategy from observations, even as conditions change. We demonstrate the performance of our AM approach by applying it to the spatial management of migratory shorebird habitats on the East Asian–Australasian flyway, predicted to be severely impacted by future sea-level rise. By accounting for non-stationary dynamics, our solution protects 25 000 more birds per year than the current best stationary approach. Our approach can be applied to many ecological systems that require efficient adaptation strategies for an uncertain future.
Eliminating bovine tuberculosis in cattle and badgers: insight from a dynamic model
Authors: Brooks-Pollock Ellen , Wood James L. N.
Published: May 2015

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a multi-species infection that commonly affects cattle and badgers in Great Britain. Despite years of study, the impact of badgers on BTB incidence in cattle is poorly understood. Using a two-host transmission model of BTB in cattle and badgers, we find that published data and parameter estimates are most consistent with a system at the threshold of control. The most consistent explanation for data obtained from cattle and badger populations includes within-host reproduction numbers close to 1 and between-host reproduction numbers of approximately 0.05. In terms of controlling infection in cattle, reducing cattle-to-cattle transmission is essential. In some regions, even large reductions in badger prevalence can have a modest impact on cattle infection and a multi-stranded approach is necessary that also targets badger-to-cattle transmission directly. The new perspective highlighted by this two-host approach provides insight into the control of BTB in Great Britain.
Perspective-taking abilities in the balance between autism tendencies and psychosis proneness
Authors: Abu-Akel Ahmad M. , Wood Stephen J. , Hansen Peter C. , Apperly Ian A.
Published: May 2015

Difficulties with the ability to appreciate the perspective of others (mentalizing) is central to both autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. While the disorders are diagnostically independent, they can co-occur in the same individual. The effect of such co-morbidity is hypothesized to worsen mentalizing abilities. The recent influential ‘diametric brain theory’, however, suggests that the disorders are etiologically and phenotypically diametrical, predicting opposing effects on one's mentalizing abilities. To test these contrasting hypotheses, we evaluated the effect of psychosis and autism tendencies on the perspective-taking (PT) abilities of 201 neurotypical adults, on the assumption that autism tendencies and psychosis proneness are heritable dimensions of normal variation. We show that while both autism tendencies and psychosis proneness induce PT errors, their interaction reduced these errors. Our study is, to our knowledge, the first to observe that co-occurring autistic and psychotic traits can exert opposing influences on performance, producing a
normalizing
effect possibly by way of their diametrical effects on socio-cognitive abilities. This advances the notion that some individuals may, to some extent, be buffered against developing either illness or present fewer symptoms owing to a balanced expression of autistic and psychosis liability.
In meso in situ serial X-ray crystallography of soluble and membrane proteins
Authors: Huang Chia-Ying , Olieric Vincent , Ma Pikyee , Panepucci Ezequiel , Diederichs Kay , Wang Meitian , Caffrey Martin
Published: May 2015

The lipid cubic phase (LCP) continues to grow in popularity as a medium in which to generate crystals of membrane (and soluble) proteins for high-resolution X-ray crystallographic structure determination. To date, the PDB includes 227 records attributed to the LCP or in meso method. Among the listings are some of the highest profile membrane proteins, including the β2-adrenoreceptor–Gs protein complex that figured in the award of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Lefkowitz and Kobilka. The most successful in meso protocol to date uses glass sandwich crystallization plates. Despite their many advantages, glass plates are challenging to harvest crystals from. However, performing in situ X-ray diffraction measurements with these plates is not practical. Here, an alternative approach is described that provides many of the advantages of glass plates and is compatible with high-throughput in situ measurements. The novel in meso in situ serial crystallography (IMISX) method introduced here has been demonstrated with AlgE and PepT (alginate and peptide transporters, respectively) as model integral membrane proteins and with lysozyme as a test soluble protein. Structures were solved by molecular replacement and by experimental phasing using bromine SAD and native sulfur SAD methods to resolutions ranging from 1.8 to 2.8 Å using single-digit microgram quantities of protein. That sulfur SAD phasing worked is testament to the exceptional quality of the IMISX diffraction data. The IMISX method is compatible with readily available, inexpensive materials and equipment, is simple to implement and is compatible with high-throughput in situ serial data collection at macromolecular crystallography synchrotron beamlines worldwide. Because of its simplicity and effectiveness, the IMISX approach is likely to supplant existing in meso crystallization protocols. It should prove particularly attractive in the area of ligand screening for drug discovery and development.